Council Legislative Committee

COUNCIL LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES TUESDAY, AUGUST 13, 2024 CALL TO ORDER The Council Legislative Committee conducted a meeting on Tuesday, August 13, 2024 at City Hall (Mayor’s Conference Room) 1737 Main Street, Second Floor, Columbia, South Carolina 29201. The Honorable Daniel J. Rickenmann, Mayor called the meeting to order at 3:14 p.m. Attendee Name Title Status Daniel J. Rickenmann Chair Present Will Brennan Member Present Aditi Bussells Member Present COMMITTEE DISCUSSION 1. Federal Intergovernmental Update - Ms. Debra DeHaney-Howard, CapitalEdge – Received as information i. Fiscal Year 2024/2025 Earmarks Update ii. Legislative and Agency Updates Ms. Debra DeHaney-Howard, CapitalEdge, LLC shared updates on various funding initiatives and projects. Senator Graham secured $10 million in the FY 2024 Appropriations Bill for the Assembly Street project and included an additional $3.5 million in the pending FY 2025 bill. Staff is currently working on the necessary paperwork for these funds, with outcomes for the FY 2025 earmark expected post- November elections. The FY 2024 Appropriations Bill also included $575,000 for the Riverview Terrace water main replacement project. The City received four competitive federal grants: $80,000 - Safe Streets and Roads for All Planning Grant; $29,000 - Urban and Community Forest Grant; $8.7 million - Climate Pollution Reduction Grants; and $5 million - Columbia Metropolitan Airport. Through the efforts of the Mayor and City Council, further federal funding was secured including $32.6 million from Building Resistant Infrastructure and Communities Grant award, $9 million for backup generators, and $35.7 for repairs to the Columbia Canal. There was discussion and emphasis on funding for housing; renovation and weatherization; senior assistance; homelessness; Continuum of Care; and HUD follow-up. Page 1 of 3  COUNCIL LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES TUESDAY, AUGUST 13, 2024 There was consensus of the committee to follow up with Congressional representatives to advocate for strategic planning in addressing homelessness and explore earmark opportunities for future projects. 2. Local Intergovernmental Update - Mr. Laddie Howard, The Howard Association – Received as information i. Penny Tax Update ii. Municipal/County Update Mr. Laddie Howard, The Howard Association reported that the Penny Tax has been approved by City Council. Currently, Richland County is in the public relations phase, focusing on community engagement. Additionally, efforts are underway to develop a priority list that will align the needs and objectives of both Richland County and Lexington County. There was discussion about the penny tax committee needing representation; funding for roads; and prioritizing connections with community partners and neighboring municipalities. 3. State Intergovernmental Update - Mr. Kyle Michel, Kyle Michel Law Firm; Mr. Damon Jeter, Jet Corp Consulting Group, LLC; and Ms. Caroline Delleney, Due South Advocacy, LLC – Received as information i. Fiscal Year 2024/2025 Earmark Results ii. Legislative Update Mr. Kyle Michel, Kyle Michel Law Firm shared the state budget items for Fiscal Year 2024/2025 that were secured for the City of Columbia:  Neighborhood Revitalization and Weatherization- $1,000,000  Marketplace at Congaree Pointe - $4,400,890  Five Points Parking Garage - $2,500,000  Five Points Project - $2,500,000  Quiet Zone – Infrastructure and Technology at Rail Crossings - $1,500,000  Fairwold Housing Assistance Program - $500,000  Belvedere & Greenview Neighborhood Revitalization - $1,000,000  Riverfront Park Trail Enhancements - $350,000  Assembly Street Railroad Grade Separation Project - $5,000,000  Bridge to the Greenway - $2,500,000  Beltline Community Improvements - $1,500,000 Page 2 of 3  COUNCIL LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES TUESDAY, AUGUST 13, 2024 Dr. Bussells requested that items directly tied to the previously submitted priorities be highlighted in the future. Mr. Kyle Michel, Kyle Michel Law Firm continued to report that the $13.8 million to the local government fund within the Fiscal Year 2024-2025 budget was increased by 5% this year. The City of Columbia will receive $3.5 million from this fund. It was noted that the return-to-work provisions for COVID response jobs were not included in this year's House or Senate budgets. This reflects a shift in focus by the Governor's Office toward moving on from the pandemic. Additionally, the recent tax exemptions for affordable housing and rising insurance costs for restaurants were highlighted as priorities for future discussions with lawmakers. There was discussion about the retirement cap; effective communication with legislators and community partners; impact on talent retention; speed/red light cameras; working alongside DOT for funding needs; and public safety concerns. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 4:19 p.m. Respectfully submitted: Erika D. Moore Hammond, CMC City Clerk Page 3 of 3

COUNCIL LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA TUESDAY, AUGUST 13, 2024 The Council Legislative Committee will conduct a meeting on Tuesday, August 13, 2024 at 3:00 p.m. at City Hall (Mayor's Conference Room), 1737 Main Street, Second Floor, Columbia, SC 29201. The meeting can be viewed online at www.columbiasc.gov. Please contact the City Clerk’s Office at (803)545-3045 or cityclerk@columbiasc.gov if you have questions regarding the meeting. The Honorable Daniel J. Rickenmann, Chair  The Honorable William Brennan, District III  The Honorable Aditi Bussells, At-Large Prior to entering the meeting please turn all electronic communication devices to the silent, vibrate or off position. All presenters are asked to speak directly into the microphone for recording purposes. CALL TO ORDER COMMITTEE DISCUSSION 1. Federal Intergovernmental Update - Ms. Debra DeHaney-Howard, CapitalEdge i. Fiscal Year 2024/2025 Earmarks Update ii. Legislative and Agency Updates 2. Local Intergovernmental Update - Mr. Laddie Howard, The Howard Association i. Penny Tax Update ii. Municipal/County Update 3. State Intergovernmental Update - Mr. Kyle Michel, Kyle Michel Law Firm; Mr. Damon Jeter, Jet Corp Consulting Group, LLC; and Ms. Caroline Delleney, Due South Advocacy, LLC i. Fiscal Year 2024/2025 Earmark Results ii. Legislative Update ADJOURNMENT Page 1 of 1