Resilient Columbia: Maintaining Service Delivery During the Pandemic
Last week the City of Columbia celebrated National Public Service Recognition Week. During the week, our Public Relations, Media and Marketing Department highlighted the hard work and dedication of our employees. As a follow-up, this week the Public Relations team is launching a public education campaign to share the City of Columbia's journey, during the pandemic. A special video series, featuring City Manager Teresa Wilson, outlines the City's path over the last year and includes information about how our employees have continued to serve our citizens and maintain daily operations to provide critical services to our citizens. The video series is titled Resilient Columbia: Maintaining Service Delivery During the Pandemic.
You can watch the videos in the City Video Hub section or on the City's YouTube Channel here.
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City Council Budget Public Hearing | Tuesday, May 11, 2021
In the interest of public health, the Columbia City Council will conduct a virtual Budget Public Hearing using video conferencing technology on Tuesday, May 11, 2021 at 2:00 p.m.
Accordingly, members of the public and/or media who want to observe the meetings may do so remotely by one of the following options:
2. Listen: The public may participate via phone. You may call: 855-925-2801. The meeting code: 4991.
Those participating by phone will receive three options on how to participate:
• (star one) *1 will allow you to listen
• (star two) *2 will allow you to record a voice message that will be read into the record.
• (star three) *3 will allow a participant to be placed in a queue, so they may speak live when prompted.
For additional meeting information visit www.columbiacitysc.iqm2.com. You may also register at this site to post comments related to items on the agenda.
For questions regarding the meeting portal, please contact the City Clerk at (803) 545-3043 or CityClerk@columbiasc.gov.
Please see the attached agenda here.
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Design/Development Review Commission | Thursday, May 13, 2021
In the interest of public health and authorized by City Council Ordinance 2020-032, the City of Columbia Design/Development Review Commission will conduct a virtual meeting on Thursday, May 13, 2021 at 4:00 p.m.
Members of the public and/or media who want to observe the meetings may do so remotely, by
c) Phone: Call 855-925-2801. When prompted, please enter the meeting code: 7952.
1) (star one) *1 will allow you to listen
2) (star two) *2 will allow you to record a voice mail message that will be read into the record.
3) (star three) *3 will allow a participant to be placed in a queue, so they may speak live when prompted
As this is an ever-evolving situation, please continue to monitor www.columbiasc.gov for additional information.
Please see the attached agenda here.
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Affordable Housing Task Force
Advisory Committee Meeting
Tuesday, May 11, 2021 11:00 AM
*Please see the attached agenda for more information*
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City of Columbia Public Art Dedication Ceremony at 1401 Main Street
Who: Mayor Steve Benjamin, City Council Members and Ija Charles (featured artist)
What: Mayor Steve Benjamin and City Council members, cordially invite you to attend the Public Art Dedication, as they announce the first Public Art Dedication Ceremony “The Pursuit of Opportunity, Celebrating African American Business”.
When: Thursday, May 13, 2021 at 12 p.m.
Where: 1401 Main Street Columbia, SC 29201
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Celebrate National Bike Month in May!
Help Us Celebrate National Bike Month in Columbia SC! With spring in the air, the City of Columbia and the League of American Bicyclists, the national organization of bicyclists, announce that May is National Bike Month, May 17-23 is Bike to Work Week and Friday, May 21 is Bike to Work Day.
The City urges everyone to bike to work or try cycling for fun, fitness, or transportation. This year, as with last year, celebrations will be virtual, and will be held on the @colacompass Facebook and Instagram social media platforms.
Considering biking to work or for fun? Here are some tips:
- Have your bike checked over by your local bike shop
- Plan your route, incorporating bike lanes, greenways, and less-busy streets when possible
- Always wear a helmet to protect your head in the event of a crash
- Ride in a safe location; in South Carolina, bicyclists may ride on sidewalks, or in the street. If a dedicated bike lane is provided, bicyclists must use the bike lane (if they are riding in the roadway). Please note, the City of Columbia does not allow bicyclists on the sidewalks bounded by Assembly, Gervais, Sumter, and Elmwood by local ordinance.
- Obey all stop signs, traffic lights and lane markings
- Look before you change lanes or signal a turn; indicate your intention, then act
- Be visible and predictable at all times; wear bright clothing and signal turns
The City of Columbia has been designated as a bronze-level Bicycle Friendly Community by the League of American Bicyclists since 2008; the designation is a four-year designation, and the City was most recently re-designated in December of 2020. City Council adopted Walk Bike Columbia, a bicycle and pedestrian master plan for the City, in 2015.
May is also National Historic Preservation Month and the Planning Division will be highlighting the intersection of these two celebrations via social media @ColaCompass on Facebook and Instagram.
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May is National Historic Preservation Month!
May is National Historic Preservation Month and the City’s Preservation staff has several virtual activities planned with the Planning Division to commemorate the event. Since its inception by the National Trust for Historic Preservation during the 1970s, National Historic Preservation Month has been a way to promote historic places. The City’s Planning staff is promoting a number of activities and events throughout the month of May that focus on the history and architecture of Columbia.
Children’s Architecture Crafts (May 1 – 31)
For the young, and young at heart, Preservation staff has developed two crafting activities that can be done from home. For more information, visit columbiasc.net/planning-preservation/historic-preservation. Be sure to share your creations by sending photographs to preservation@columbiasc.gov or by posting a photograph to Facebook or Instagram and tagging @ColaCompass. Please direct any questions to preservation@columbiasc.gov.
Instagram Photo Contest (May 1 – 31)
Keep an eye on the @ColaCompass Instagram page for weekly photo contests posted each Sunday during the month of May. Topics for the photo contests will cover both National Historic Preservation Month and National Bike Month. Contests will run Sunday to Saturday and prize winners will be selected weekly. To learn more about how to participate, visit @ColaCompass on Instagram.
Historic Preservation Trivia: Thursday, May 20, 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Join City of Columbia preservation and planned staff for a fun (virtual) trivia night! Hosted via Zoom, staff will quiz you on your knowledge of both local and national preservation history. Teams are encouraged and the three teams with the most points at the end of the night will win small prizes. This event is free, but please pre-register teams by emailing preservation@columbiasc.gov by May 19th.
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Neighborhood Safety Training Session Scheduled
WHAT: City of Columbia Community Development Department Presents All Access Columbia Virtual Training Discussing Safeguarding Your Neighborhoods “The Project Safe Neighborhoods Program”
WHO: The City of Columbia Community Development Department to host virtual meeting with free registration. The meeting will be presented by Inspector James Modzelewski of the Columbia Police Department
WHEN: Wednesday, May 12, 2021 3:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
WHERE: For more information and to register, please go to
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Registration Period Has Kicked Off for City’s Youth Summer Basketball League
Registration for the city’s Youth Summer Basketball League for children 9-18 years old has now kicked off, and will end Monday, May 31, the Columbia Parks & Recreation Department announced.
Participants can retrieve and deliver a registration form online or at any local Community Center. Registration forms can be dropped off at any city recreation center or the Parks and Recreation department during operation hours.
For more information, call the Parks & Recreation Department at 803-545-0456.
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Columbia Police Department Employee Receives Community Partner Award
Congratulations to Columbia Police Department's Law Enforcement Victim Advocate (LEVA) Supervisor Tréssa Dixon on being a recipient of the Community Partner award through the Gamecocks Stand Up Hero Awards initiative!
The 12th Annual Gamecocks Stand Up Hero Awards, hosted by Sexual Assault and Violence Intervention & Prevention (SAVIP), recognizes accountable bystanders - members of the Carolina community who speak up, stand up, take action, and make a difference in the lives of others. Through a variety of actions, large and small, Hero Award recipients have impacted the lives of students, peers, co-workers, and even complete strangers.
"One of our biggest Heroes this past year has been the Columbia Police Department's Victim Advocates. Tréssa Dixon and her team of advocates have been invaluable to our students. Often with only a moment's notice, they have collaborated with SAVIP, opening the door for an easier transition when a student needs to report. We thank you LEVA's, as well as Sergeant Hass, for being willing to go above and beyond when serving our community." ~ submission from nomination for T. Dixon
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City Implements “Spring Forward Amnesty Program”
The City of Columbia Municipal Court will be implementing a “Spring Forward Amnesty Program” every Friday in May. This program will allow citizens with outstanding bench warrants and other penalties to resolve their cases without being arrested or going to jail. It gives citizens an opportunity to voluntarily resolve outstanding cases in a fair and efficient manner -- a spring cleaning of sorts.
Beginning May 7, and every subsequent Friday in May, anyone with outstanding bench warrants or unpaid fees and fines who voluntarily appears at one of the amnesty locations will have the opportunity to settle their cases without being arrested. Outstanding bench warrants will be vacated and late fines and fees will be reduced or converted to community service.
Amnesty Days will be held from 9:00 am – 5:30 pm in the following locations:
May 14: Busby Street Community Center; 1735 Busby Street, Columbia SC 29203
May 21: Earlewood Park; 1111 Recreation Drive, Columbia, SC 29201
May 28: Transitions Homeless Center; 2025 Main Street, Columbia SC 29201
To find out if you have an outstanding bench warrant, please check the City of Columbia Municipal Court website or call the municipal court at (803)545-3166. To find out if you have outstanding fees and fines, please call (803)545-3140. Driving Under the Influence, 1st Offense and Domestic Violence 3rd degree charges are not included in this program.
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Dominion Energy to Perform Tree Trimming Activities as Scheduled for 2021
Dominion Energy will perform tree trimming activities along overhead utility lines in the following neighborhoods for the next two weeks:
Distribution Line Tree Trimming:
Shandon Neighborhood Council
Oakwood Court Neighborhood Assoc.
Old Shandon Neighborhood
University Hills
Wales Garden Neighborhood Assoc.
Wheeler Hill Neighborhood Assoc.
Colonial Park Neighborhood Assoc.
Hyatt Park Neighborhood
Citizens with specific questions or concerns should contact Forestry and Beautification at 803-545-3860 or Dominion Energy at 1-800-562-9308 to meet and discuss in advance of the work being completed.
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City Video Hub
Find in-depth perspectives from news, updates, and recent events in the City of Columbia.
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City Council Meeting | May 4, 2021
To submit comments in regards to items on the agenda:
- Call 855-925-2801 (Enter the meeting code: 5073)
• (star one) *1 will allow you to listen
• (star two) *2 will allow you to record a voice mail message that will be read into the record.
• (star three) *3 will allow a participant to be placed in a queue, so they may speak live when prompted.
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City Updates May 10-14 | City of Columbia
Here's a look at all of the events happening in the City of Columbia on the week of May 10-14, 2021
For more information, visit publicrelations.columbiasc.gov
Twitter | https://twitter.com/CityofColumbia
Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/CityofColumbia
Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/WeAreColumbia
Website | https://www.ColumbiaSC.gov
E-Mail | PIO@ColumbiaSC.gov
Phone | (803) 545-3020
#WeAreColumbia
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Resilient Columbia | Modifying & Maintaining City Operations |
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Resilient Columbia | How did #ResilientColumbia Start? |
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Resilient Columbia | Public Servant Spirit |
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Resilient Columbia | What We've Learned About Our City |
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Resilient Columbia | An Adaptable Workplace |
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Resilient Columbia | Message to Our Community |
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The City of Columbia Celebrates National Bike Month! |
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National Historic Preservation Month 2021
Virtual Events
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The City of Columbia is a Bronze-Level Walk
Friendly Community!
It might be Bike Month , but we love our pedestrians too! The City of Columbia is proud to announce that the Walk Friendly Communities program has recertified us as a bronze level Walk Friendly Community (WFC). As the only recognized Walk Friendly Community in South Carolina, we are honored to be recognized for our ongoing commitment to prioritize pedestrians as we strive to create safe, comfortable, and inviting places to walk. The WFC program compares our efforts to those of our peer cities, and provides recommendations specific to Columbia, which helps us better target our planning efforts!
Get the latest info on local & regional efforts by signing up for our Walk Bike Columbia newsletter here: http://eepurl.com/gfIG25 !
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Have questions about COVID-19 vaccines or need help finding vaccine providers?
Call the COVID-19 Vaccine Information Line at
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Follow these easy steps to help prevent the spread of COVID-19:
1. Wash hands often with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds.
2. If soap and warm water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
3. Clean surfaces frequently with disinfecting supplies (telephones, keyboards, copiers, printers, desks, etc.)
4. Stay at least 6 feet (about 2 arms’ length) from other individuals
5. Do no gather in crowds and groups.
6. Maximize social distancing among co-workers and the public.
Remember, Safety Starts with an “S” but it begins with “YOU”.
Let’s continue to unite and fight the spread of the Coronavirus.
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For more information please visit
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Stephen K. Benjamin
Mayor
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Sam Davis
Councilman District I
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Tameika Isaac Devine
Councilwoman At-Large
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Howard E. Duvall, Jr.
Councilman At-Large
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Edward H. McDowell, Jr.
Councilman District II
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Daniel J. Rickenmann
Councilman District IV
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Will Brennan
Councilman District III
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Teresa Wilson
City Manager
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