The Columbia City Council last Monday night approved an ordinance to allow a special use permit for the operation of a bulk ice dispensing facility to be located just south of Electro Door Systems at 610 S. Main Street.

Construction is currently underway on the facility, and it was reported to the council that it is hoped to be up and running by early December.

The special use permit was granted by the council for Joseph Menner to operate the bulk ice dispensing facility at that location.

In other council news, Columbia resident Tracy Sewell addressed the council during the Oct. 20 meeting regarding the recent paving of the old railroad right-of-way walking trail.

Sewell expressed concern that the trail was to be paved in three phases over 10 years, and wanted to understand why the city paved it so soon.

Columbia Mayor Kevin Hutchinson said the city received a grant that enabled the trail to be paved sooner that expected.

Alderman Mark Roessler added that bids came in lower than expected, which allowed the city to pave more that what was initially expected.

Alderman Mary Ellen Niemietz explained that the city has had ownership of the old right-of-way for many years and the plan to pave this walkway did not include a 10-year timeline.