Health Social and Environmental Affairs Committee — Columbia, SC
Date: 2025-05-27
Time: 18:00

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




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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




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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
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 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.




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 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.




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 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




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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
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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
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 Autonomous
Food Delivery Robots
 Presentation to the
 Health, Social, and
 Environmental Affairs Committee
 May 27, 2025




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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.




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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.




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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)



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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


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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.




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  Overview of USC
Food Delivery Program




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Questions




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HEALTH, SOCIAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE
 MEETING MINUTES
 TUESDAY, MAY 27, 2025


CALL TO ORDER

The Health, Social and Environmental Affairs Committee conducted a meeting on
Tuesday, May 27, 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 1:01 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 April 22, 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 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 – Received as information.

Mr. Bob Petrulis, Chair/ Climate Protection Action Committee (CPAC) reported that
all CPAC seats are now filled, with Secretary Gretchen Lambert’s term ending this
year. CPAC continues to support the City’s 2036 clean energy goal by tracking
projects like the Canal Hydro Plant renovation, a proposed solar farm, city building
energy audits, and methane capture. The committee hosted a Climate Action Fair
with 300–500 attendees and is developing a public dashboard. CPAC also awarded
17 Bloomberg Youth Climate Leadership grants and advocated for updating the
City’s climate plan.

There was discussion about prioritizing benchmarks, LEED certification renewal, the
smart growth plan, and Bee Cities.




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 HEALTH, SOCIAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE
 MEETING MINUTES
 TUESDAY, MAY 27, 2025



COMMITEE DISCUSSION

3. Impact of Delivery Robots - Ms. Krista Hampton, Director of Planning and
 Development Services – Received as information.

Ms. Krista Hampton, Director of Planning and Development Services gave an
overview of autonomous delivery devices, which typically operate on sidewalks
rather than roadways. She noted one active operator, Starship Technologies via
GrubHub at USC and reviewed regulatory considerations, including weight, speed,
automation level, right-of-way usage, and local control.

Ms. Kelly Smith, Business License Administrator stated that the only current
requirement is a business license and the robots are restricted to campus delivery.

Mr. Clete Myers, USC Dining Services explained that the robots are maintained and
charged on campus, with human staff managing orders. The devices are
programmed to avoid pedestrians, navigate peak times like class changes, and they
contribute to campus job creation.

There was discussion about broader regulatory needs, insurance requirements,
concerns about competitive fairness, delivery radius, programming with GPS,
whether each unit needs a decal, the recording capabilities of onboard cameras,
weight of robots, damages to robots, a map of the service areas, and scheduling an
in-person demo.


ADJOURNMENT

The meeting was adjourned at 1:57 p.m.

Respectfully submitted:



Erika D. Moore Hammond, CMC, CPM
City Clerk




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