Nov.2016

Round-table Discussions Held with Firefighters

i n this issue >>> Round-table Discussions Held with Firefighters

City of Columbia Invites Water Customers toAfter-Hours Water Billing Drop-In

Public and Media Relations Department awardedfor Public Education Campaign

Columbia Police Department Recognized forExcellence in Law Enforcement by SCLEOA

During the month of November, the City Manager took trips to multiple fire stations along with Fire Chief Aubrey D. Jenkins to have a face to face dialogue with the men and women of the Columbia Fire Department. The visits and discussions were held over a three day period and focused heavily on hearing different ideas and concerns from firefighters. Open communications with all firefighters will continue through Fire Chief Jenkins.

Spotlight City Manager’s

The City Manager’s Spotlight provides details about what is happening in the City in an effort to keep citizens informed about City operations.

Office of the City Manager

P.O. Box 147, Columbia, SC 29201

Phone: 803-545-3026

Fax: 803-545-3051

CityManager@ColumbiaSC.net

Teresa Wilson Columbia City Manager

and more >>>

The City of Columbia held it's first water billing drop in on Monday, November 7, 2016 as a part of the revamped water billing drop-in series that will be held once a month through February 2017.During these water billing drop-ins water & sewer customers get the opportunity to:

• Meet face to face with Customer Care representatives after normal business hours to ask questions about their water bills

• Learn about our water billing process

• Learn how water meters work and how to read a meter

• Learn how much leaks can cost you and get tips on finding leaks

• Learn how much common water habits cost residential customers

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City of Columbia Invites Water Customers to After-Hours Water Billing Drop-In

To view more about the the water billing drop in or to find out about how you can read your meter and more , please click the customer care logo below:

The next Drop-In will be:

Wednesday, December 7, 2016, 6:00 - 8:00 PM (customers can stop by any time)

Eau Claire Print Building (3907 Ensor Ave)

For more information about the drop-in, please contact Customer Care at (803) 545-3300

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City's Public and Media Relations Department awarded for Public Education Campaign

The City of Columbia's Public and Media Relations department was recognized at the City Council Meeting on Tuesday, November 15, 2016. for receiving the the 2016 International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) Award for the public education campaign known as “#KnowYourCity”.

The Public and Media Relations Department began this new public education campaign by sharing some basics about the City's most frequently asked questions, and their efforts to keep the community informed did not stop there.

Every month, the Public and Media Relations Department focused on specific topics of interest and shared facts, statistics and details that the citizens of Columbia may not have been aware of.

The #KnowYourCity trivia contest is featured on the City’s Instagram account (@WeAreColumbia) every Wednesday at 12 p.m. The first person that responds with the correct answer winsa prize from the Public and Media Relations Department.

The Public and Media Relations department was also recognized nationally earlier this year for outstanding social media practices.

Pictured above are Mayor Steve Benjamin (holding award) and Columbia City Council members(L to R, Moe Baddourah, Howard Duvall, Jr.,Ed McDowell, Jr., Tameika Isaac Devine and Sam Davis), and Public and Media Relations Director, Leshia Utsey. This photo was taken at the City Council meeting held on November 15, 2016 following a presentation given by City Manager Teresa Wilson. The City Manager and Council members commended PR staff for their work on the project and for receiving an award from the International Association of Business Communicators. About the International Association of Business Communicators: Setting a standard of excellence since 1970, the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) is a vibrant global membership association with thousands of members from around the world, representing many of the Global Fortune 500 companies.

Students of Hammond School learn about Leadership

On Tuesday, October 20 the City Manager was asked to speak to the students of Hammond School as a part of their Leadership series.

During her session with the students she described her position as the City Manager of Columbia and spoke about City operations especially as it relates to day to day and emergency preparedness.

She also explained great characteristics that every leader should possess and spoke to the students about why she chose public service as her profession.

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Columbia Police Department Recognized for Excellence in Law Enforcement by SCLEOA

erall importance of smoke alarms, and acknowledge that they do have limitations.”

Columbia Police Chief Skip Holbrook and CPD officers at the SCLEOA Awards Program.

The South Carolina Law Enforcement Officers Association (SCLEOA) presented the Columbia Police Department with the Santee Cooper Excellence in Law Enforcement Award on Tuesday, November 15, 2016 during their annual conference in Myrtle Beach, SC.

The award recognizes the efforts, innovative service to the community, efficiency and results of the Columbia Police Department during the past year.

“I am honored to accept the Santee Cooper Excellence in Law Enforcement Award on behalf of the Columbia Police Department,” said Police Chief William “Skip” Holbrook.

“Receiving this award is an acknowledgement of the hard work and dedication of the men and women of our Department,” Chief Holbrook stated. “It signifies the progress we have made in implementing best practices in 21st century policing and building strong relationships with those we serve.”

The Annual SCLEOA Awards Program was created to provide an opportunity for individual officers, departments and heroic citizens to be given their deserved recognition. Each award has been developed to honor the outstanding accomplishments of law enforcement officers, departments and citizens for their efforts to perform above and beyond the call of duty.

About the South Carolina Law Enforcement Officers' Association: SCLEOA is a professional association of law enforcement officers that have the common goal of advancing and enhancing the law enforcement profession in South Carolina. It is open to all criminal justice professionals in the state. SCLEOA strives to serve the needs of law enforcement professionals through benefits, services, legislative initiatives, training programs, communication, recreation, and networking in order to offer opportunities for career and financial enhancements and to encourage a strong environment for professional and personal development.

Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony at

Vista LightsThe City Manager enjoyed participating in the annual tree lighting ceremony for this year's 31st annual celebration in the historic Congaree Vista.

The premier holiday event included over 60 venues with restaurants and bars opening their doors for citizens to shop and enjoy several different festivities in the Vista, one of Columbia's premier arts and entertainment districts.

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City Kicks Off Annual Employee United Way Campaign

Pictured from L to R: (Top Left) City Manager Teresa Wilson presenting the City's first official donation to United Way of the Midlands President & CEO, Mac Bennett. (Top Right) Mayor Steve Benjamin speaking to employee campaign representatives. Councilman Howard Duvall also pictured (Bottom Left) City's Employee Campaign Representatives (Bottom Right) City Manager Teresa Wilson speaking to the employee campaign representatives.

On Wednesday, November 9, the City Manager along with Mayor Steve Benjamin and Councilman Howard Duvall kicked-off the City's annual United Way of the Midlands campaign. During the kick-off the City Manager encouraged the employee campaign representatives to give, recognized the City's long-standing partnership with the United Way of the Midlands and gave the City's first official donation. She also explained how the City's role in raising funds and promoting the United Way helps strengthen our community in the areas of Education, Financial Stability, Flood Relief and Healthcare which ultimately helps the City's vitality.

Throughout November and into December, the City's employees will partake in different fundraising efforts such as United Way Jeans Day Friday which allows employees to wear jeans every Friday through February of 2017 for at least 5.00 per paycheck. Each department's employee campaign representative will also help with finding creative ways to raise money like department-wide chili cook-offs, bake sales and more.

The citywide employee campaign started on November 14 and runs through December 9.

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USC Honors College features Local Leader in AHA! Magazine

To view the full AHA magazine please go to:https://issuu.com/schonors/docs/aha__minizine_fall2016?e=1728208/40861270

To view the City Manager's article please go to the link below: http://schc.sc.edu/news/building-world-class-city

Finding An Agent That’s Right For You

About Teresa Wilson

Please do not hesitate to contact me with your concerns, suggestions and hopes for our City.

I take pleasure in my service to each of you!

All my best,

Teresa Wilson is the City Manager for the City of Columbia, SC. For more details on the

City Manager, visit ColumbiaSC.net/City-Manager. For more information about the City

of Columbia, visit ColumbiaSC.net.

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City of Columbia Accepting Nominations for the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Dream Keeper Scholarship

Awards

The City of Columbia is accepting nominations for the 2017 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Dream Keeper Scholarship Awards.

The Dream Keeper Award recognizes exemplary displays of committed service to the tenets of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

The ideals of social responsibility, political empowerment, diversity, racial harmony, nonviolence, and unselfish service must be demonstrated voluntarily by the nominee in support of his or her community and fellow citizens.

The nominee must be age 18 or younger and enrolled in school with a minimum 2.0 grade point average.

Winners will be announced at the City of Columbia’s annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration on Monday, January 16, 2017, at 4 p.m. at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Park and Community Center, 2300 Greene Street. Nominees must attend the celebration.

Applications are available online for download or at the City of Columbia Parks and Recreation Department, 1111 Parkside Drive, Columbia, SC 29203.

Applications must be returned by the following methods:•In person at the City of Columbia Parks and Recreation Department, 1111 Parkside Drive,Columbia, SC 29203.•By mail to the City of Columbia Parks and Recreation Department, 1111 Parkside Drive,Columbia, SC 29203. Applications must be postmarked by Wednesday, January 4, 2017.•Submit completed application as a PDF file to parksinfo@columbiasc.net.For more information, contact Shireese M. Bell at 803-545-3100 or smbell@columbiasc.net, orvisit www.columbiasc.net.