Health Social and Environmental Affairs Committee

HEALTH, SOCIAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2025 The Health, Social and Environmental Affairs Committee will conduct a meeting on Tuesday, September 30, 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 CALL TO ORDER APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approval of July 15, 2025 Health, Social, and Environmental Affairs Committee Meeting Minutes COMMITTEE DISCUSSION 2. Animal Services Update: Enforcement Staffing - Mr. Robert Anderson, Director of Public Works 3. City of Columbia Gateway Signage Update - Mr. Robert Anderson, Director of Public Works 4. Midlands Business Leadership Group Gateway Beautification Project – Mr. Robert Anderson, Director of Public Works 5. Canal Recovery: Resilient Water Supply Project - Mr. Clint E. Shealy, P.E., Assistant City Manager for Columbia Water ADJOURNMENT Page 1 of 1  1 MEETING DATE: September 30, 2025 DEPARTMENT: City Clerk FROM: Erika Hammond, City Clerk SUBJECT: Approval of July 15, 2025 Health, Social, and Environmental Affairs Committee Meeting Minutes FUNDING SOURCE & ORIGINAL BUDGET: ATTACHMENTS:  #a: HSEAC_MN_071525 (DOCX) Updated: 9/19/2025 8:31 PM Page 1 Packet Pg. 2  1.a HEALTH, SOCIAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES TUESDAY, JULY 15, 2025 CALL TO ORDER The Health, Social, and Environmental Affairs Committee conducted a meeting on July 15, 2025 at the Busby Street Community Center, 1735 Busy Street, Columbia, SC 29203. The Honorable Aditi Bussells, Chair called the meeting to order at 11:16 a.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 May 27, 2025 Health, Social, and Environmental Affairs Committee Meeting Minutes – Approved Upon a motion made by Mr. McDowell and seconded by Mr. Bailey, the Committee voted unanimously to approve the May 27, 2025 Health, Social, and Environmental Affairs Committee Meeting Minutes. PRESENTATIONS 2. EPA Climate Pollution Reduction Grant Update – Mr. Jory Fleming, CPRG Planning Grant Manager; Mr. Gregory Spouse, Director of Research, Planning, and Development; and Ms. Jocelyn Falkenstine, CPRG Implementation Grant Manager/ Central Midlands Council of Governments – Received as information. Ms. Jocelyn Falkenstine, CRPG Implementation Grant Manager/ Central Midlands Council of Governments presented updates on the fully obligated $8.7 million S3 Fund grant, which runs from November 2024 to November 2029. Phase 1 includes eight solar and smart surface projects, including a major solar installation at the Columbia Metro Wastewater Treatment Plant. The project is expected to yield a 10-year return on investment and a 30-year lifespan. She highlighted potential tax credit impacts from recent federal legislation and a projected timeline. There was discussion about the July 2026 deadline to secure a 40% solar tax credit; interconnection delays with Dominion Energy; the project's potential to reduce energy costs and air pollution; and a future pilot project for cool pavement, guided by existing heat-mapping data. Page 1 of 3 Packet Pg. 3  1.a HEALTH, SOCIAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES TUESDAY, JULY 15, 2025 3. Beat the Heat, Plant a Tree: The Sequel – Mr. Brian Neiger, Forestry and Beautification Superintendent Mr. Brian Neiger, Forestry and Beautification Superintendent provided an update on the original Beat the Heat, Plant a Tree grant. The goal was to give away 1,500 trees in Justice40 neighborhoods within five years and educate residents about the importance of trees. Columbia Green also wanted to give away 250 trees in non- Justice 40 areas within city limits. During the first six months, 990 trees were delivered and $43,100 was expended. The grant was canceled in February 2025. However, Columbia Green has decided to continue the program. He outlined Columbia Green’s proposed commitment and the City of Columbia’s responsibilities. There was discussion about tree removal along I-26; expenditure of grant funding; funding for the sequel; the canopy program; and the removal and replacement of Bradford pear trees. There was consensus of the Committee to move forward with Beat the Heat, Plant a Tree: The Sequel. 4. Bee City USA Initiative – Ms. Mary Pat Baldauf, Sustainability Facilitator – Endorsed for City Council Consideration Ms. Samantha Cornell, Public Works Department intern presented an overview of the Bee City USA initiative. She shared the proposed committee structure, annual resolution requirements, and the environmental benefits of promoting pollinator- friendly practices. She emphasized the program's role in biodiversity, sustainable land management, and community engagement. There was discussion about signage; pollinator friendly plants; fellow Bee-City municipalities; and the resolution. There was also discussion about pending agenda items to include an update on gateway signage; scheduling an autonomous robot demonstration and a Finlay Park tour; update on the Three Rivers Greenway and Animal Services; and revisiting a potential Night Market discussion. Page 2 of 3 Packet Pg. 4  1.a HEALTH, SOCIAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES TUESDAY, JULY 15, 2025 ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 12:00 p.m. Respectfully submitted: Erika D. Moore Hammond, CMC, CPM City Clerk Page 3 of 3 Packet Pg. 5  2 MEETING DATE: September 30, 2025 DEPARTMENT: City Clerk FROM: Erika Hammond, City Clerk SUBJECT: Animal Services Update: Enforcement Staffing - Mr. Robert Anderson, Director of Public Works FUNDING SOURCE & ORIGINAL BUDGET: ATTACHMENTS:  #a: Gateway -MBLG Updates (PPTX) Updated: 9/19/2025 1:26 PM Page 1 Packet Pg. 6  2.a City of Columbia Public Works Animal Services Packet Pg. 7  2.a Staffing • Enforcement Staffing Consists of 5 Positions • 1- Officer Supervisor (Vacant) • 4- Officers (Filled) • 2 in Training • 1 Part-Time Veterinarian • 1-Kennel Supervisor • New Web Page Design • 2024 Live Release Rate • 82% • Comprehensive Update 2 Packet Pg. 8  2.a City of Columbia Public Works Gateway Signage Packet Pg. 9  2.a 4 Packet Pg. 10  2.a 5 Packet Pg. 11  2.a Installation Dates • North Main at I-20 • Secondary Non-lit sign • Currently set for October 30th • Press Conference • Bull Street, Harbison and I-126 and Huger Street • Bull Street Lit • I-126 and Huger Street Lit • Harbison Non-lit • Foundations on November 12th – 14th • Sign installs on November 17th - 19th Weather Dependent 6 Packet Pg. 12  2.a City of Columbia Public Works Midlands Business Leadership Group MBLG Packet Pg. 13  2.a MBLG Update • Discussions 2019 • Enhancement of Columbia's and Surrounding Area Corridors • Committee Selected 8 Areas • 302, From I-26 to entrance to Airport • Forest Drive at I-77, City of Columbia • Lexington I-20 at US 1, Lexington County • Harbison Blvd at I-26, Richland County and City of Columbia • Downtown Connector I-20 at I-277 • I-26 at I-20, Richland and Lexington County • I-26 at I-77, Cayce • I-20 at I-77, Richland County • Funding • Hardware and Plantings • Lexington County $500,000 for Highway 302 • MBLG Raised Additional Funding from Private Sources • Maintenance • Prorated Share Based on Population for Participating Agency's • COG (2022) • Taking the Project Lead • 302 has been Bid • October 10th Meeting • Discuss Project Timeline • Participating Agency’s/IGA’s • Future Projects/Funding 8 Packet Pg. 14  2.a Questions/Discussion Packet Pg. 15  3 MEETING DATE: September 30, 2025 DEPARTMENT: City Clerk FROM: Erika Hammond, City Clerk SUBJECT: City of Columbia Gateway Signage Update - Mr. Robert Anderson, Director of Public Works FUNDING SOURCE & ORIGINAL BUDGET: Updated: 9/19/2025 1:31 PM Page 1 Packet Pg. 16  4 MEETING DATE: September 30, 2025 DEPARTMENT: City Clerk FROM: Erika Hammond, City Clerk SUBJECT: Midlands Business Leadership Group Gateway Beautification Project – Mr. Robert Anderson, Director of Public Works FUNDING SOURCE & ORIGINAL BUDGET: Updated: 9/19/2025 1:28 PM Page 1 Packet Pg. 17  5 MEETING DATE: September 30, 2025 DEPARTMENT: City Clerk FROM: Erika Hammond, City Clerk SUBJECT: Canal Recovery: Resilient Water Supply Project - Mr. Clint E. Shealy, P.E., Assistant City Manager for Columbia Water FUNDING SOURCE & ORIGINAL BUDGET: Updated: 9/19/2025 1:33 PM Page 1 Packet Pg. 18