City Council Standing Committee

Regular Meeting

Columbia, SC · February 24, 2026

Minutes

Columbia Health Social and Environmental Affairs Committee Meeting Minutes Tuesday, February 24, 2026 Call to Order The Columbia Health Social and Environmental Affairs Committee conducted a meeting on Tuesday, February 24, 2026 at City Hall (Mayor's Conference Room), 1737 Main Street, Columbia, South Carolina 29201. The Honorable Sam P. Johnson, Chair called the meeting to order at 1:07 p.m. The Honorable Edward H. McDowell, Jr was present. The Honorable Tyler D. Bailey was absent. Approval of Minutes 1. Approval of October 28, 2025 Health, Social, and Environmental Afffairs Committee Meeting Minutes Upon a motion made by Mr. McDowell and seconded by Mr. Johnson, the Committee voted unanimously to approve the October 28, 2025 Health, Social, and Environmental Affairs Committee Meeting Minutes. Presentations 2. City Beautification Update – Mr. Robert Anderson, Director / Public Works and Mr. Brian Neiger, Superintendent / Forestry & Beautification Mr. Clint Shealy, P.E., Assistant City Manager of Columbia Water welcomed Mr. Eric Jensen, Richland County Assistant Administrator and Ms. Sandra Haynes, Director of Animal Services for Richland County. Mr. Brian Neiger, Superintendent / Forestry & Beautification provided an update on the City’s beautification efforts. He highlighted corridor mowing; downtown self-watering planters; fence and median upgrades; enhanced sidewalk maintenance; new equipment to improve median cleaning efficiency; and the new "Welcome to Columbia" signage. He also discussed the “Beat the Heat, Plant a Tree” partnership with Columbia Green, which has distributed approximately 2,000 trees over two years. Mr. Robert Anderson, Director / Public Works shared that the City has implemented an Adopt-a-Street program, which focuses on major thoroughfares with organized cleanups held several times a year. He also noted that the City is in the early stages of additional beautification efforts, including evaluating flood-prone lots for potential pollinator gardens and enhanced plantings. He stated that the City will continue partnering with community groups to support these initiatives. There was discussion about group crossover with regard to beautification efforts; designated areas for gateway projects; use of the street sweeper; a grant program to standardize signs at neighborhood entrances; the employment of youth for beautification efforts; a road safety audit performed by the Department of Transportation; and a map of neighborhoods that have or have not submitted tree planting requests. 3. Animal Services Update – Ms. Victoria Clary, Superintendent / Animal Services Ms. Victoria Clary, Superintendent / Animal Services presented proposed updates to the City’s animal services ordinances, including reorganizing sections, adding definitions, and aligning regulations with Richland County. Key changes include replacing the outdated kennel model with a breeder permit requiring inspections and humane standards, and strengthening the tethering ordinance. She noted that most revisions focus on necessary animal welfare improvements. She shared the need for facility upgrades. There was discussion about addressing current ordinance language; penalty enforcement; timeline for implementing proposed changes; building demolition; tethering in bad weather; ear cropping; differential licensing exemption for service/show dogs; levels of enforcement; and flawed building functionality. There was consensus of the committee to review the proposed changes and continue this discussion at the next meeting. Adjournment The meeting was adjourned at 2:20 p.m. Respectfully Submitted: Erika D. Moore Hammond, CMC, CPM City Clerk

Agenda

Packet

Columbia Health Social and Environmental Affairs Committee Meeting Agenda Tuesday, February 24, 2026 at 1:00 PM City Hall • Mayor's Conference Room 1737 Main Street, 2nd Floor, Columbia, SC 29201 City Clerk’s Office: (803)545-3045 or cityclerk@columbiasc.gov The Honorable Sam P. Johnson, At-Large, Chair The Honorable Edward H. McDowell Jr., District II • The Honorable Tyler D. Bailey, At-Large Call to Order Approval of Minutes 1. Approval of October 28, 2025 Health, Social, and Environmental Afffairs Committee Meeting Minutes Presentations 2. City Beautification Update – Mr. Robert Anderson, Director / Public Works and Mr. Brian Neiger, Superintendent / Forestry & Beautification 3. Animal Services Update – Ms. Victoria Clary, Superintendent / Animal Services Adjournment Page 1 of 1 Page 1 of 4 HEALTH, SOCIAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES TUESDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2025 CALL TO ORDER The Health, Social, and Environmental Affairs Committee conducted a meeting on Tuesday, October 28, 2025 at City Hall (Mayor’s Conference Room), 1737 Main Street, Columbia, South Carolina 29201. The Honorable Aditi Bussells, Chair called the meeting to order at 1:11 p.m. and the following members were present: Attendee Name Title Status Aditi Bussells Chair Present Edward H. McDowell Member Present Tyler D. Bailey Member Present APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. September 30, 2025 Health, Social, and Environmental Affairs Committee Meeting Minutes – Approved Upon a motion made by Mr. Bailey and seconded by Dr. Bussells, the Committee voted unanimously to approve the September 30, 2025 Health, Social, and Environmental Affairs Committee Meeting Minutes. PRESENTATIONS 2. Animal Services Update - Ms. Victoria Clary, Animal Services Superintendent – Received as information Ms. Victoria Clary, Animal Services Superintendent presented updates on the new transparent website, declining intake and euthanasia rates, and expanded program beams like Pet Fix and Return. She announced a Petco Love Grant that funded two part-time positions and shared proposed ordinance updates to strengthen animal welfare and modernize licensing. A 2023 Space Study found the current facility to be inadequate, recommending demolition and construction of a $30 million modern facility with improved design, ventilation, and medical space. There was discussion about adding Richland County data intake to the website; staffing and funding needs; grant opportunities; model facilities; funding of comparable facilities; cost-based recommendations; collaboration with Richland County and nearby counties; and ordinance updates. Page 1 of 3 Page 2 of 4 HEALTH, SOCIAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES TUESDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2025 3. Columbia Gateway Signage Update - Mr. Robert Anderson, Director of Public Works – Received as information Mr. Robert Anderson, Director of Public Works shared about the recent visit Right Light facility in Charlotte to view the completed gateway signage. Installation began with the first sign at Main Street and I-20 scheduled for unveiling on October 30, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. Additional installations will take place at Bull Street, I-126, and Harbison Boulevard between November 14–19, 2025. 4. MyColaSC Application Update – Ms. Tiffany Latimer, Director of Customer Services and Ms. Carmen Flemming, Project Manager – Received as information Dr. Bussells explained that residents reported that when using the MyColaSC app to report potholes or road issues, they often received responses stating the road was not city-owned or saw the issue marked as “resolved,” even though it was outside the City’s jurisdiction. Ms. Tiffany Latimer, Director of Customer Service reported that the City’s mobile app marked its one-year anniversary in September. The app allows residents to report and track non-emergency issues. It now has over 9,000 registered users as of October 2025. Outreach efforts include Town Hall events, social media, bill inserts, and new account letters. Ms. Carmen Flemming, Project Manager / Budget and Program Management explained that the app was created to give citizens an alternative way to communicate with City staff and ensure timely responses. As of October 27, 2025, nearly 4,000 service requests have been submitted on various topics, with staff maintaining a 90% closure rate. There was discussion about goal setting; app usage between Eye on Water and MyColaSC; improving communication about non-City owned roads; enhancing customer engagement; integrating payments; managing spam; and customer feedback. Page 2 of 3 Page 3 of 4 HEALTH, SOCIAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES TUESDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2025 ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 12:15 p.m. Respectfully submitted: Erika D. Moore Hammond, MMC, CPM City Clerk Page 3 of 3 Page 4 of 4