West Columbia City Council held a special council meeting on March 17 to discuss a variety of issues, including approval of funding allocations from the accommodations tax committee and amending the facade grant assistance outlines.

Council approved, with amendments, $200,000 in funding allocations from the accommodations tax committee.

Riverbanks Zoo and Gardens received $15,000 to help support the opening of new exhibits and for the entrance to the botanical gardens; EdVenture Children’s Museum received $5,000 to help pay for advertising targeting visitors for day trips that are at least 50 miles away; Experience Columbia was granted $10,000 to help market the area to the larger region through brochures, area guides and online, newspaper and billboard ads; and the Greater Cayce West Columbia Visitors Center was granted $50,000 to continue to improve their current social media programs and for six AM City ads.

Canoeing for Kids received $36,000 in funding to increase advertising for the nonprofit in the region; WECO Meeting St. Music Festival was granted $70,000 to help attract music fans nationwide to the Columbia area and to spotlight local businesses; Capital City Lake Murray Country received $9,000 to increase out-of-region advertising for their two international festivals; and the Columbia Museum of Art was granted $5,000 to increase advertising beyond the Midlands.

Council voted to amend the proposed allocations by taking away $800 from the WECO Meeting St. Music Festival to fully fund the Riverbanks Zoo and Gardens and Canoeing for Kids funding requests.

The amended allocations passed unanimously.

In other news

Council also unanimously approved the recommended changes to the facade grant assistance outlines.

The grant assistance outlines now allow applicants to use the money for landscaping, including “planting trees, shrubs, flowers or other greenery,” and hardscaping, which covers the “installation of sidewalks, patios, walkways, benches, planters and other permanent exterior fixtures made from concrete, bricks, pavers or natural stone,” according to the updated guidelines.

The council approved 6-2 a proposed resolution that would allow for the temporary suspension of the ordinance outlawing the public consumption of alcohol on May 31, June 7 and June 14 during the Rhythm on the River series.

Council approved, on first reading, zoning requests that designated 0.67 acres at 101 Pinecrest Ave. as C-2, general commercial, and the annexation of 0.28 acres at 2858 Sunset Blvd. as C-2, general commercial.

Council unanimously approved, on second reading, zoning 2806 Leaphart Rd. as general commercial and 38-44-C Trotter Rd. as general commercial and light manufacturing.

The next public West Columbia City Council meeting will be on April 2 starting at 6 p.m. at City Hall.