Health Social and Environmental Affairs Committee

HEALTH, SOCIAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA TUESDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2025 The Health, Social and Environmental Affairs Committee will conduct a Standing Committee Meeting on Tuesday, October 28, 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, 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. September 30, 2025 Health, Social, and Environmental Affairs Committee Meeting Minutes PRESENTATIONS 2. Animal Services Update - Ms. Victoria Clary, Animal Services Superintendent 3. Columbia Gateway Signage Update - Mr. Robert Anderson, Director of Public Works 4. MyColaSC Application Update – Ms. Tiffany Latimer, Director of Customer Services and Ms. Carmen Flemming, Project Manager ADJOURNMENT Page 1 of 1  1 MEETING DATE: October 28, 2025 DEPARTMENT: City Clerk FROM: Erika Hammond, City Clerk SUBJECT: September 30, 2025 Health, Social, and Environmental Affairs Committee Meeting Minutes FUNDING SOURCE & ORIGINAL BUDGET: ATTACHMENTS: • #a: HSEAC_MN_093025 (DOCX) Updated: 10/22/2025 1:17 PM Page 1 Packet Pg. 2  1.a HEALTH, SOCIAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2025 CALL TO ORDER The Health, Social and Environmental Affairs Committee conducted a meeting on Tuesday, September 30, 2025 at City Hall (Mayor's Conference Room), 1737 Main Street, Second Floor, Columbia, SC 29201. The Honorable Aditi Bussells, Chair called the meeting order at 1:07 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 July 15, 2025 Health, Social, and Environmental Affairs Committee Meeting Minutes – Approved Upon a motion made by Mr. Bailey and seconded by Mr. McDowell, the Committee voted unanimously to approve the 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 – Received as information. Mr. Robert Anderson, Director of Public Works provided an update on Animal Services staffing and operations. The division currently has five enforcement positions, with four filled and one supervisory vacancy. Recruitment has improved following salary adjustments to match regional levels. A part-time veterinarian and kennel supervisor positions remain open due to statewide shortages. The department’s live release rate stands at 82%, with a goal to reach 85% next year. He also noted the successful launch of the redesigned Animal Services webpage and announced that Dr. Bonovich was recently recognized as the State’s Best Veterinarian. There was consensus of the committee to receive a compressive update in October. Page 1 of 3 Packet Pg. 3  1.a HEALTH, SOCIAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2025 3. City of Columbia Gateway Signage Update - Mr. Robert Anderson, Director of Public Works – Received as information. Mr. Robert Anderson, Director of Public Works presented visuals of the new gateway and tertiary signage to be installed throughout the City. The presentation included renderings of signs for North Main, Bull Street, Harbison, I-126, and Huger Street, as well as new city logo signs to be mounted on light poles along Main Street. He announced that the North Main sign near I-20 is scheduled for installation on October 30, 2025 with additional sign installations at Bull Street, Harbison, and I-126 planned for November 17–19, 2025. There was discussion about the press conference; placement of light pole signs; lighting signs; and plans for maintenance. 4. Midlands Business Leadership Group Gateway Beautification Project – Mr. Robert Anderson, Director of Public Works – Received as information. Mr. Robert Anderson, Director of Public Works provided an update on the Midlands Business Leadership Group (MBLG) beautification initiative. Formed under former Mayor Benjamin, the group identified eight sites. The first project, along Highway 302 in Cayce, received about $1.2 million in funding, including $500,000 from Lexington County. Regional partners include Columbia, West Columbia, Cayce, Lexington, Richland County, and Forest Acres. He noted that the Forest Drive/I-77 project is next, with maintenance costs to be shared among participating jurisdictions. There was discussion about meeting with Council of Governments and overlapping of signage. 5. Canal Recovery: Resilient Water Supply Project - Mr. Clint E. Shealy, P.E., Assistant City Manager for Columbia Water – Received as information. Mr. Clint Shealy, P.E., Assistant City Manager for Columbia Water provided an update on the City’s Resilient Water Supply and recovery projects. Three major efforts are underway to improve infrastructure following the 2015 flood: replacement of the canal head gates, repair of the embankment and hydroelectric station, and construction of an independent resilient water supply. The $12 million head gate project, partially funded by a federal mitigation grant, is set to move forward by year’s end following recent federal approval. Page 2 of 3 Packet Pg. 4  1.a HEALTH, SOCIAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2025 The embankment repair, estimated at $60–80 million, will be fully funded by FEMA and state matching funds with construction anticipated to begin in early 2026. The $62 million resilient water supply project began construction in January 2025 and is expected to reach substantial completion by spring 2027. There was discussion about both alternative and supplemental funding. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 1:46 p.m. Respectfully submitted: Erika D. Moore Hammond, MMC, CPM City Clerk Page 3 of 3 Packet Pg. 5  2 MEETING DATE: October 28, 2025 DEPARTMENT: City Clerk FROM: Erika Hammond, City Clerk SUBJECT: Animal Services Update - Ms. Victoria Clary, Animal Services Superintendent FUNDING SOURCE & ORIGINAL BUDGET: Updated: 10/22/2025 1:32 PM Page 1 Packet Pg. 6  3 MEETING DATE: October 28, 2025 DEPARTMENT: City Clerk FROM: Erika Hammond, City Clerk SUBJECT: Columbia Gateway Signage Update - Mr. Robert Anderson, Director of Public Works FUNDING SOURCE & ORIGINAL BUDGET: Updated: 10/22/2025 2:49 PM Page 1 Packet Pg. 7  4 MEETING DATE: October 28, 2025 DEPARTMENT: City Clerk FROM: Erika Hammond, City Clerk SUBJECT: MyColaSC Application Update – Ms. Tiffany Latimer, Director of Customer Services and Ms. Carmen Flemming, Project Manager FUNDING SOURCE & ORIGINAL BUDGET: Updated: 10/22/2025 2:49 PM Page 1 Packet Pg. 8