Health Social and Environmental Affairs Committee — Columbia, SC
Date: 2024-02-27
Time: 18:00

COLUMBIA HEALTH, SOCIAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE
 MEETING AGENDA
 TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2024
The Columbia Health, Social and Environmental Affairs Committee will conduct a meeting on
Tuesday, February 27, 2024 at 11:00 a.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 Aditi Bussells, At-Large, Chair
 The Honorable Edward H. McDowell, Jr., District II  The Honorable Tyler D. Bailey, 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. Animal Services Ordinance Update - Ms. Victoria Riles, Animal Services Superintendent

2. Update from Pawmetto Lifeline - Ms. Denise Wilkinson, Chief Executive Officer

3. Update from Final Victory Animal Rescue - Ms. Katy Cowan, Founder & Director

4. Revisions to the Climate Protection Action Committee's Bylaws - Ms. Mary Pat Baldauf,
 Sustainability Facilitator

PRESENTATIONS

5. Climate Pollution Reduction Grant (CPRG) Update - Ms. Mary Pat Baldauf,
 Sustainability Facilitator

ADJOURNMENT




 Page 1 of 1

COLUMBIA HEALTH, SOCIAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE
 MEETING AGENDA
 TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2024
The Columbia Health, Social and Environmental Affairs Committee will conduct a meeting on
Tuesday, February 27, 2024 at 11:00 a.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 Aditi Bussells, At-Large, Chair
 The Honorable Edward H. McDowell, Jr., District II  The Honorable Tyler D. Bailey, 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. Animal Services Ordinance Update - Ms. Victoria Riles, Animal Services Superintendent

2. Update from Pawmetto Lifeline - Ms. Denise Wilkinson, Chief Executive Officer

3. Update from Final Victory Animal Rescue - Ms. Katy Cowan, Founder & Director

4. Revisions to the Climate Protection Action Committee's Bylaws - Ms. Mary Pat Baldauf,
 Sustainability Facilitator

PRESENTATIONS

5. Climate Pollution Reduction Grant (CPRG) Update - Ms. Mary Pat Baldauf,
 Sustainability Facilitator

ADJOURNMENT




 Page 1 of 1
 1




MEETING DATE: February 27, 2024

DEPARTMENT: City Clerk

FROM: Erika Hammond, City Clerk

SUBJECT: Animal Services Ordinance Update - Ms. Victoria Riles,
 Animal Services Superintendent
FUNDING SOURCE &
ORIGINAL BUDGET:


ATTACHMENTS:
  Animal_Services_Ordinance_Update (PDF)


HISTORY:
12/12/23 Health, Social and Environmental Affairs Committee MEETING CANCELLED
 Next: 02/27/24




Updated: 1/8/2024 12:51 PM Page 1
 Packet Pg. 2
 Ordinance Change Status Update




 Columbia Animal Services




 1.a
Packet Pg. 3

 Attachment: Animal_Services_Ordinance_Update (8956 : Animal Services Ordinance
 1.a




Spay and Neuter Mandate Discussion




 Attachment: Animal_Services_Ordinance_Update (8956 : Animal Services Ordinance
All Pets
• Legalities pertaining to professional and responsible breeding
• Not supported on a national level

Bully Breeds
• 75% of dog breeds are inaccurately guessed without DNA testing
• Significant resistance on legislative level (HSUS, ASPCA, Best
 Friends)

Reasons this is not supported
• Unfunded mandate on citizens
• Criminalizes poverty
• Will contradict positive community engagement efforts
• Possible intake increase

Recommendations
National groups recommend municipalities support an
infrastructure that incentivizes the procedure and provides all
community members access to spay/neuter services.

 Packet Pg. 4
 1.a



Numbers and
 Re-Cap of Proposed Ordinance Changes




 Attachment: Animal_Services_Ordinance_Update (8956 : Animal Services Ordinance
 • City of Columbia will offer a $25.00 one-time lifetime pet license if pet is spayed/neutered, vaccinated for
“Any owner of a dog in which is trained and certified to be
 rabies, and
an assistance dogmicrochipped
 for its owner.”
 • $5 pet annual license still in place for altered, un-microchipped pets

PAALS (Palmetto
  • $100  annualAnimal
 fee ifAssisted
 the petLife)
 is not spayed/neutered

 • Language changes to spay/neuter exemptions to make this area more clear and concise.

 • Ordinance draft has been reviewed by City Council

 • Online licensing option

 • Request to defer out to council for enactment July 1, 2024

 • Meeting with Richland County
 • Richland County is in support of licensing changes and will explore similar changes of their own with
 their council during budget review, early 2024.

 • Discussed meeting options for City, Richland, and Lexington to explore ordinance review, spay and neuter
 mandates.
 Packet Pg. 5
 1.a




Preparation for Implementation




 Attachment: Animal_Services_Ordinance_Update (8956 : Animal Services Ordinance
 1. Met with Chameleon Team
 • Discuss online licensing options and capabilities

 2. Met with City’s IT, payment, accounting, and database administrator departments
 • Determine which payment service will be used
 • Determine security aspects and labilities to ensure online licensing is in line with the City’s security
 parameters.

 3. Legal Review & Quote
 • Legal review will determine if there is a contract and what it’s terms and conditions are
 • Budgetary review for purchase

 4. Launch - underway
 • Chameleon and IT are working together to install and launch the software.

 5. Proposed start date of ordinance change July 1, 2024
 • Allow RC time to follow suit
 = complete
 Packet Pg. 6
 1.a




Pet-fix & Return Pilot Program




 Attachment: Animal_Services_Ordinance_Update (8956 : Animal Services Ordinance
 Program Goals & Objective
 • To increase spay and neuter within zip codes that most contribute to shelter intake.
 Success Metrics
 • To spay/neuter, vaccinate, and microchip a minimum of 50 community animals within 29203 by the end of 2024.
 Benefits
 • Prevent birth of approximately 175 puppies
  25 females; 7 puppies per litter, on average
 • Increase public safety
  Studies show 60-80% of dog bites are by intact males or pregnant/nursing females
  Intact males have higher tendencies to roam due to marking instincts, especially if there is an in heat female nearby.
  Unaltered male dogs between 1.5-2 years (sexual maturity) are more likely to display aggressive behaviors and fight
 with other dogs.
 • Creates positive community engagement resulting in willingness to comply, verses policed mandates.


 Packet Pg. 7
 2




MEETING DATE: February 27, 2024

DEPARTMENT: City Clerk

FROM: Erika Hammond, City Clerk

SUBJECT: Update from Pawmetto Lifeline - Ms. Denise Wilkinson, Chief
 Executive Officer
FUNDING SOURCE &
ORIGINAL BUDGET:


ATTACHMENTS:
  Pawmetto Lifeline Update (PDF)




Updated: 1/17/2024 9:34 AM Page 1
 Packet Pg. 8
 2.b




We are a non-profit 501(c)(3) animal
welfare organization formed in 1999
 to proactively address the




 Attachment: Pawmetto Lifeline Update (8961 : Update from Pawmetto Lifeline)
  companion pet overpopulation
 problem in South Carolina.



  Create a No-Kill community, meaning no
 healthy, treatable, adoptable pet will be
euthanized simply because they are homeless
 (




 Packet Pg. 9
 2.b




 Attachment: Pawmetto Lifeline Update (8961 : Update from Pawmetto Lifeline)
 10,000 humans are born in the U.S. every day.
 (3.6 million per year)
 70,000 puppies and kittens are born every day.
 (25 million per year)
 (Source: North Shore Animal League)

South Carolina was one of the TOP THREE states that people moved to post COVID.
 67% of those families have pets,




 Packet Pg. 10
 THE SOLUTION




Packet Pg. 11 2.b
 Attachment: Pawmetto Lifeline Update (8961 : Update from Pawmetto Lifeline)
 2.b




 Attachment: Pawmetto Lifeline Update (8961 : Update from Pawmetto Lifeline)
Between July 1, 2021 and June 30, 2022
8,415 homeless dogs and cats entered
municipal animal shelters in Richland &
 Lexington counties.

 1,656
 (or approximately 20%)
 of animals that entered these
 shelters were euthanized.
 1999: 90%
 The
 2015: 51%
 Euthanasia
 2018: 32%
 rate for large
 2020: 25% breed dogs
 2021: 15% continues to
 2022: 20% rise
 2023: 26%

 Packet Pg. 12
 2.b




 Attachment: Pawmetto Lifeline Update (8961 : Update from Pawmetto Lifeline)
60-70% of dogs being euthanized in shelters
are pit bull type dogs. They are dying at the
highest rate in municipal shelters statewide
and nationwide. Adoptions will not solve the
problem.

Spaying and neutering will create a balance between
supply and demand.
Licensing will create a revenue stream for
spaying/neutering.
Pawmetto Lifeline will alter any large breed dog/pit that
receives a citation at a discount or
free.




Together we can
solve this problem.
 Packet Pg. 13
 3




MEETING DATE: February 27, 2024

DEPARTMENT: City Clerk

FROM: Erika Hammond, City Clerk

SUBJECT: Update from Final Victory Animal Rescue - Ms. Katy Cowan,
 Founder & Director
FUNDING SOURCE &
ORIGINAL BUDGET:




Updated: 1/17/2024 9:34 AM Page 1
 Packet Pg. 14
 4




MEETING DATE: February 27, 2024

DEPARTMENT: Legal Department

FROM: Teresa Knox, City Attorney

SUBJECT: Revisions to the Climate Protection Action Committee's
 Bylaws - Ms. Mary Pat Baldauf, Sustainability Facilitator
FUNDING SOURCE &
ORIGINAL BUDGET:

FOCUS AREAS: Planning Together


ATTACHMENTS:
  R-2023-094 - CPAC adopt amended by-laws (PDF)
  CPRG UPDATE (PPTX)




Updated: 1/8/2024 1:22 PM Page 1
 Packet Pg. 15
 4.a




 RESOLUTION NO.: R-2023-094




 Attachment: R-2023-094 - CPAC adopt amended by-laws (8922 : Resolution No.: R-2023-094 - By-Laws of the Climate Protection Act
 Adopting the By-Laws of the Climate Protection Action Committee
 Last Revised July 29, 2023


 BE IT RESOLVED by the Mayor and City Cou ncil this ___ day of _ _ _ _ _ _, 2023 that

the attached By-Laws of the Climate Protection Action Committee , Last Revised July 29, 2023 are hereby

adopted.



Requested by :


Councilmember Bussells
 Mayor
Approved by:



City Manager

 ATTEST:



 City Clerk

Introduced :
Final Reading :




Last rev1sed 11 /30/2023
23019267




 Packet Pg. 16
 CPAC By-Laws Update



Packet Pg. 17 4.b
 Attachment: CPRG UPDATE (8922 : Resolution No.: R-2023-094 - By-Laws of the Climate Protection Act
 4.b




 Attachment: CPRG UPDATE (8922 : Resolution No.: R-2023-094 - By-Laws of the Climate Protection Act
Proposed Changes to By-Laws
Changes were drafted to bring the by-laws into compliance with City Council’s new Boards and
Commissions manual and include:

• Deletion of non-voting appointees.
• Deletion of advisory members.
• Adoption of City residency requirements.
• Increased number of appointees to eleven, the maximum number allowed on any board,
  commission or committee.
• Changed attendance requirements to the version approved in the handbook (two consecutive
  unexcused absences will be reported to City liaison; three consecutive unexcused absences will
  result in automatic termination.)




 Packet Pg. 18
 4.b




 Attachment: CPRG UPDATE (8922 : Resolution No.: R-2023-094 - By-Laws of the Climate Protection Act
Climate Pollution Reduction
 Grant (CPRG) Update
 Health, Social and Environmental Affairs Committee
 December 12, 2023




 Packet Pg. 19
 4.b




 Attachment: CPRG UPDATE (8922 : Resolution No.: R-2023-094 - By-Laws of the Climate Protection Act
Climate Pollution Reduction Grant Refresher
• $1 million EPA grant to fund reduction of greenhouse gases.
• Grant lead: Central Midlands Council of Governments.
• Regional grant consisting of the Columbia metropolitan statistical area (MSA) of Calhoun,
 Fairfield, Lexington, Kershaw, Richland and Saluda counties. The City of Columbia is the
 largest city in the MSA, and is the reason the MSA was chosen for this grant opportunity.
• Full-time program coordinator started December 1. Part-time intern from Benedict College is
 currently aboard as well.
• Robert Anderson and I are representing the City on the Advisory Committee and have been
 actively involved.
• The Regional Committee met in early December; each of the seven counties and four
 municipalities were represented. This group meets on a monthly basis.




 Packet Pg. 20
 4.b




 Attachment: CPRG UPDATE (8922 : Resolution No.: R-2023-094 - By-Laws of the Climate Protection Act
 Dates of Interest
March 1, 2024: Simplified version of the Priority Climate Action Plan due
 • Identified near-term action items to prepare for implementation grants.
 • Can focus on specific sectors or greenhouse gas sources.
 • Limited set of requirements that set foundation for informed decisions.
 • May build on previous climate planning efforts.

April 1, 2024: Regional Implementation Grant application due

Mid-2025: Comprehensive Climate Action Plan due
 • Includes GHG inventory, projections and reduction targets, and a larger list of
 measures that reduce GHG and reach targets.




 Packet Pg. 21
 4.b




 Attachment: CPRG UPDATE (8922 : Resolution No.: R-2023-094 - By-Laws of the Climate Protection Act
 Possible Grant Project Ideas
• Regional waste-to-energy plant.
• Regional solar farm.
• Local government energy audits.
• EV chargers.
• EV fleet conversion studies.
• Conversion of fleets to natural gas.
• Non-reimbursable weatherization grants for existing building stock.
• Regional reduction of food waste and adoption of local composting programs.
• Smart Surface projects, a variety of different projects that can reduce the urban heat island affect and
 lessen the impact of flooding.


 OTHER IDEAS?




 Packet Pg. 22
 5




MEETING DATE: February 27, 2024

DEPARTMENT: City Clerk

FROM: Erika Hammond, City Clerk

SUBJECT: Climate Pollution Reduction Grant (CPRG) Update - Ms.
 Mary Pat Baldauf, Sustainability Facilitator
FUNDING SOURCE &
ORIGINAL BUDGET:


ATTACHMENTS:
  CPRG UPDATE (PDF)


HISTORY:
12/12/23 Health, Social and Environmental Affairs Committee MEETING CANCELLED
 Next: 02/27/24




Updated: 12/8/2023 11:50 AM Page 1
 Packet Pg. 23
 5.a




 Attachment: CPRG UPDATE (8955 : Climate Pollution Reduction Grant (CPRG) Update)
Climate Pollution Reduction
 Grant (CPRG) Update
 Health, Social and Environmental Affairs Committee
 December 12, 2023




 Packet Pg. 24
 5.a




 Attachment: CPRG UPDATE (8955 : Climate Pollution Reduction Grant (CPRG) Update)
 Climate Pollution Reduction Grant Refresher
• $1 million EPA grant to fund reduction of greenhouse gasses.
• Grant lead: Central Midlands Council of Governments.
• Regional grant consisting of the Columbia metropolitan statistical area (MSA) of
  Calhoun, Fairfield, Lexington, Kershaw, Richland and Saluda counties. The City of
  Columbia is the largest city in the MSA, and is the reason the MSA was chosen for
  this grant opportunity.
• Full-time program coordinator started December 1. Part-time intern will soon be
  hired to assist the coordinator.
• Robert Anderson and I are representing the City on the Advisory Committee and
  will be actively involved.
• The Regional Committee met last week; each of the six counties and four
  municipalities were represented. This group will meet on a monthly basis.




 Packet Pg. 25
 5.a




 Attachment: CPRG UPDATE (8955 : Climate Pollution Reduction Grant (CPRG) Update)
 Dates of Interest
March 1, 2024: Simplified version of the Priority Climate Action Plan due
 • Identified near-term action items to prepare for implementation grants
 • Can focus on specific sectors or greenhouse gas sources
 • Limited set of requirements that set foundation for informed decisions
 • May build on previous climate planning efforts

April 1, 2024: Regional Implementation Grant application due

Mid-2025: Comprehensive Climate Action Plan due
 • Includes GHG inventory, projections and reduction targets, and a larger list of
 measures that reduce GHG and reach targets.




 Packet Pg. 26
 5.a




 Attachment: CPRG UPDATE (8955 : Climate Pollution Reduction Grant (CPRG) Update)
 Possible Grant Project Ideas
• Regional waste-to-energy plant
• Regional solar farm
• Local government energy audits
• EV chargers
• EV fleet conversion study
• Conversion of fleets to natural gas
• Non-reimbursable weatherization grants for existing building stock
• Regional reduction of food waste and adoption of local composting programs


 OTHER IDEAS?




 Packet Pg. 27

HEALTH, SOCIAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE MEETING
 MINUTES
 TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2024
CALL TO ORDER

The Columbia Health, Social, and Environmental Affairs Committee conducted a meeting on
Tuesday, February 27, 2024 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 11:00 a.m.

Attendee Name Title Status
Aditi Bussells Chair Present
Edward H. McDowell Member Remote
Tyler D. Bailey Member Present

COMMITTEE DISCUSSION

1. Animal Services Ordinance Update - Ms. Victoria Riles, Animal Services Superintendent
 – Received as information

Ms. Victoria Riles, Superintendent of Animal Services said we focused on bully-type breeds, as
these do get targeted to be the problem, especially in shelter environments. However, without
DNA testing there is no way to verify what breed the dog is. The city shifted from this mandate
because it’s unfunded, criminalizes poverty, and contradicts with positive community
engagement efforts for Animal Control. We propose a modification to our differential licensing
ordinance, allowing a pet owner of a spay/neutered and micro chipped pet to get a one-time,
lifetime license at the cost of $25 versus an annual fee of $100. We have already had this
ordinance reviewed by Council and are requesting an enactment date of July 1, 2024. We also
propose a Pet Fix N Return program to increase spay/neuters within zip codes that most
contribute to shelter intake. Our goal would be to spay/neuter a minimum of 150 animals
annually within these targeted zip codes.

There was discussion about enforcement mechanisms and collaborative efforts with Richland
County and Lexington County.

2. Update from Pawmetto Lifeline - Ms. Denise Wilkinson, Chief Executive Officer –
 Received as information

Ms. Denise Wilkinson, Chief Executive Officer of Pawmetto Lifeline gave the history of
Pawmetto Lifeline's work, including their operations and how they address the homeless pet
population. She said in 2023, South Carolina was the number one state that people moved to and



 Page 1 of 3
 HEALTH, SOCIAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE MEETING
 MINUTES
 TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2024
now 62% of all households have pets. We recommend that the city and the county have a spay-
neuter-microchip ordinance for cats and dogs that is complaint driven. Once the complaint is
filed, we would like to mandate that the dog or cat be altered. Having an enforced pet licensing
program will provide a revenue source to fund the spay/neuter needs. Having managed intake
means you don’t take more animals into your facility than you can care for. We are asking to
establish a staff-to- animal ratio that ensures certain standards of care. When shelters are full, we
are asking to issue a temporary moratorium on intakes.

There was a discussion about responsible pet ownership, defining complaint driven, the pros and
cons of managed intake, counties with similar ordinances, and statewide euthanasia rates.

3. Update from Final Victory Animal Rescue - Ms. Katy Cowan, Founder & Director
 – Received as information

Ms. Katy Cowan, Founder & Director of Final Victory Animal Rescue shared her history, the
organization’s background, and their current community outreach efforts. Last year, we did
1,200 adoptions, we pulled cats and dogs from 15 different South Carolina shelters, 350 from
Columbia Animal Services, and another good chunk from Lexington. It’s great to see all of us
working together with rescues to pull these animals out and bring down the euthanasia list. Our
magic is that we adopt 75% to 85% of our dogs from the Northeast United States. Right now
we’re at 919 North Lucas Street in West Columbia. We focus on those large, hard to place dogs.
We work with animal transport companies and we transport between 15-25 animals per week.
Our goals are to expand the reach of our mobile spay-and-neuter van, to acquire a van to
transport animals to adopters, and to secure a secondary facility.

There was discussion about partnerships and other collaborative efforts.

4. Revisions to the Climate Protection Action Committee's Bylaws - Ms. Mary Pat Baldauf,
 Sustainability Facilitator – Endorsed for City Council Consideration

Ms. Mary Pat Baldauf, Sustainability Facilitator said changes to the bylaws were drafted to go
into effect along with the handbook for boards and commissions. They include the removal of
non-voting appointees and advisory members and the adoption of city residency requirements.
We increased the number of appointees to 11 and we changed the attendance requirements to
match the handbook. After you review and endorse the bylaws today, these will go to Council for
a vote.

There was consensus of the Committee to forward the revised bylaws to a future City Council
meeting.


 Page 2 of 3
 HEALTH, SOCIAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE MEETING
 MINUTES
 TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2024
PRESENTATIONS

5. Climate Pollution Reduction Grant (CPRG) Update - Ms. Mary Pat Baldauf,
 Sustainability Facilitator – Received as information

Ms. Mary Pat Baldauf, Sustainability Facilitator said since August, the Central Midlands Council
of Governments has taken the lead on the Climate Pollution Reduction Grant. This is a regional
grant for the Columbia Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) and includes the counties of
Calhoun, Fairfield, Lexington, Kershaw, Richland and Saluda. Our priority climate action plan
(PCAP) is due on March 1, 2024. It will focus on specific sectors for greenhouse gas sources. It
is a first draft with a limited set of requirements. It can be built on previous climate planning
efforts. On April 1, 2024, the regional implementation grant application is due. These
competitive grants will range from $2 million to $500 million and will be used in the PCAP. We
gathered input from organizations and individuals in the MSA and got a list of possible grant
project ideas. Most likely, we’re going to move forward with three projects for the
implementation grant: regional solar, local government energy audits, and smart surface projects.

There was discussion about the reduction of single use plastics in combination with existing
initiatives, a regional green transportation system, building green spaces and walkability, and
additional EV chargers.

ADJOURNMENT

The meeting was adjourned at 12:20 p.m.

Respectfully submitted:



Erika D. Moore Hammond, CMC
City Clerk




 Page 3 of 3