Health Social and Environmental Affairs Committee

HEALTH, SOCIAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA TUESDAY, MAY 27, 2025 The Health, Social and Environmental Affairs Committee will conduct a meeting on Tuesday, May 27, 2025 at 1:00 p.m. at City Hall (Mayor's Conference Room), 1737 Main Street, Second Floor, Columbia, SC 29201. Members of the public may view the meeting 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 this meeting. The Honorable Aditi Bussells, Chair The Honorable Edward H. McDowell, Jr., District II  The Honorable Tyler D. Bailey, At-Large Prior to entering the meeting please silence all electronic communication devices. All presenters are asked to speak directly into the microphone for recording purposes. CALL TO ORDER APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approval of April 22, 2025 Health, Social, and Environmental Affairs Committee Meeting Minutes PRESENTATIONS 2. Climate Protection Action Committee Update - Mr. Bob Petriulius, Chair, Climate Protection Action Committee COMMITEE DISCUSSION 3. Impact of Delivery Robots - Ms. Krista Hampton, Director of Planning and Development Services ADJOURNMENT Page 1 of 1  1 MEETING DATE: May 27, 2025 DEPARTMENT: City Clerk FROM: Erika Hammond, City Clerk SUBJECT: Approval of April 22, 2025 Health, Social, and Environmental Affairs Committee Meeting Minutes FUNDING SOURCE & ORIGINAL BUDGET: ATTACHMENTS:  #a: HSEAC_MN_042225 (DOCX) Updated: 5/15/2025 2:54 PM Page 1 Packet Pg. 2  1.a HEALTH, SOCIAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES TUESDAY, APRIL 22, 2025 CALL TO ORDER The Columbia Health, Social, and Environmental Affairs Committee conducted a meeting on Tuesday, April 22, 2025 at City Hall (Mayor’s Conference Room), 1737 Main Street, Second Floor, Columbia, SC 29201. The Honorable Aditi Bussells, Chair called the meeting to order at 1:10 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. Approval of January 28, 2025 Health, Social, and Environmental Affairs Committee Meeting Minutes - Approved Upon a motion made by Mr. McDowell and seconded by Mr. Bailey, committee members voted unanimously to approve the January 28, 2025 Health, Social, and Environmental Affairs Committee Meeting Minutes. PRESENTATIONS 2. Sanitary Sewer Overflow Update – Mr. Frank Eskridge, Director of Utility Operations, Columbia Water – Received as information. Mr. Frank Eskridge, Director of Utility Operations/Columbia Water presented a 2024 year-in-review on Sanitary Sewer Overflows (SSOs), noting a long-term decline due to consent decree improvements. Hurricanes Debbie and Helene caused a temporary spike. Debbie triggered a major power outage and Helene led to flooding at the Metro Wastewater Treatment Plant. Emergency electrical upgrades have been completed and early FY25 data shows progress. Ongoing efforts include capital projects, root control, and preventive maintenance. There was discussion about high SSO’s at the plant; upgrades to switchgear; maintenance of performance numbers; system vulnerabilities; investment in capacity and rehabilitation projects; and sun-setting the consent decree. Page 1 of 3 Packet Pg. 3  1.a HEALTH, SOCIAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES TUESDAY, APRIL 22, 2025 3. Solid Waste Division Route Growth/Efficiency - Ms. Samantha Yager, Superintendent/Solid Waste Division - Endorsed for City Council Consideration. Ms. Samantha Yager, Superintendent/Solid Waste Division announced an Earth Day event on April 22, 2025 from 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. at Boyd Plaza. She shared that the last garbage route adjustment occurred in 1991 despite the addition of 13,000 services since 1995. A hybrid collection system is currently in place and staff are working to analyze growth and balance routes by running an equal number of trucks daily. A proposal to adjust route days and implement a color-coded recycling schedule was presented along with a communications plan. There was discussion about how services are added; route efficiency; grace period for adjustment; code enforcement; and additional ways of messaging to customers. There was consensus to target a September 1, 2025 implementation date for the proposed route changes. 4. Undergrounding of Utilities – Ms. Viola Hendley, Chair, Columbia Tree & Appearance Commission – Received as information. Mr. Jim Irvin, member of the Columbia Tree and Appearance Commission presented a proposal for a comprehensive tree inventory, emphasizing the importance of the recent tree survey. He noted the challenge of many trees maturing simultaneously and highlighted a draft ordinance addressing funding, project identification, preservation, and enforcement. The long-term goal is consistent investment in undergrounding utilities. A USDA grant provided over 1,200 trees, with 700 allocated to the City of Columbia and the remainder distributed to Richland, Lexington, and Cayce. There was discussion about the use of request for proposals by other municipalities to manage tree canopy and the role of canopy coverage in neighborhood health and equity. Councilor McDowell emphasized the urgency of prioritizing diabetes and kidney health. He announced that on May 17, 2025, Black Expo will feature a health-focused narrative funded by Prisma Health, Johnson & Johnson, and Novartis. Page 2 of 3 Packet Pg. 4  1.a HEALTH, SOCIAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES TUESDAY, APRIL 22, 2025 ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 2:25 p.m. Respectfully submitted: Erika D. Moore Hammond, CMC City Clerk Page 3 of 3 Packet Pg. 5  2 MEETING DATE: May 27, 2025 DEPARTMENT: City Clerk FROM: Erika Hammond, City Clerk SUBJECT: Climate Protection Action Committee Update - Mr. Bob Petriulius, Chair, Climate Protection Action Committee FUNDING SOURCE & ORIGINAL BUDGET: Updated: 5/15/2025 3:19 PM Page 1 Packet Pg. 6  3 MEETING DATE: May 27, 2025 DEPARTMENT: City Clerk FROM: Erika Hammond, City Clerk SUBJECT: Impact of Delivery Robots - Ms. Krista Hampton, Director of Planning and Development Services FUNDING SOURCE & ORIGINAL BUDGET: ATTACHMENTS:  #a: CC HSEA May 27 Autonomous Food Delivery (PPTX) Updated: 5/15/2025 3:17 PM Page 1 Packet Pg. 7  3.a Autonomous Food Delivery Robots Presentation to the Health, Social, and Environmental Affairs Committee May 27, 2025 Packet Pg. 8  3.a Definition Devices designed to deliver goods using transportation networks such as sidewalks, crosswalks, and bike lanes, without a driver on board. Goods for transport are secured and accessed by the recipient digitally through an app or delivery code. In most instances, there is a human operator available to intervene and assume active control if the device encounters a situation where it cannot navigate. Packet Pg. 9  3.a Business License Compliance Currently, one company, Starship Technologies, is licensed and actively operating within our jurisdiction. The coverage area is based on the University of South Carolina campus. The Business License is the only requirement to operate. Packet Pg. 10  3.a Regulatory Overview Survey what other states regulate: • Operational domain (sidewalk, road, etc.) • Weight and speed • Automation level (with or without human monitor) • Rights and restrictions on right-of-way (same as pedestrian, must yield, etc.) • Pre-emption of local control (in some instances) Packet Pg. 11  3.a Regulatory Overview New South Carolina Legislation: • Requires human to monitor/operate if needed • Limits speed to 10 mph • May not operate on a highway with speed limit greater than 35 mph (may cross) • Must yield to pedestrians and have owner information and lights • Local government may regulate time and place, but may not prohibit • Provisions are repealed three years after enactment Packet Pg. 12  3.a Regulatory Overview Survey of what other local governments regulate: • When permitted by state law, similar provisions as state regulations (speed, weight, pedestrian accommodation) • In South Carolina, can regulate the time of operation and place. • Minneapolis discussing impacts on workforce, but no regulations. Packet Pg. 13  3.a Overview of USC Food Delivery Program Packet Pg. 14  3.a Questions Packet Pg. 15