Health Social and Environmental Affairs Committee — Columbia, SC
Date: 2026-06-23
Time: 11:00

Health Social and Environmental Affairs Committee Meeting Agenda
 Tuesday, June 23, 2026 at 11:00 AM
 City Hall • Mayor's Conference Room
 1737 Main Street, 2nd Floor, Columbia, SC 29201
 City Clerk’s Office: (803)545-3045 or cityclerk@columbiasc.gov

 The Honorable Sam P. Johnson, 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. May 26, 2026 Health Social and Environmental Affairs Committee Meeting Minutes

Presentations

2. Eau Claire Cooperative Health Update — Dr. John Pearson, Chief Executive Officer

3. Citywide Energy Savings Project Update — Mr. David Marcus, Project Manager /
 General Services

Adjournment




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Health Social and Environmental Affairs Committee Meeting Agenda
 Tuesday, June 23, 2026 at 11:00 AM
 City Hall • Mayor's Conference Room
 1737 Main Street, 2nd Floor, Columbia, SC 29201
 City Clerk’s Office: (803)545-3045 or cityclerk@columbiasc.gov

 The Honorable Sam P. Johnson, 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. May 26, 2026 Health Social and Environmental Affairs Committee Meeting Minutes

 Presentations

 2. Eau Claire Cooperative Health Update — Dr. John Pearson, Chief Executive Officer

 3. Citywide Energy Savings Project Update — Mr. David Marcus, Project Manager /
 General Services

 Adjournment




 Page 1 of 1

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 Columbia Health Social and Environmental Affairs Committee Meeting Minutes
 Tuesday, May 26, 2026

 Call to Order

 The Columbia Health Social and Environmental Affairs Committee conducted a meeting on
 Tuesday, May 26, 2026 at City Hall (Mayor's Conference Room), 1737 Main Street,
 Columbia, South Carolina 29201. The Honorable Sam P. Johnson, Chair called the meeting
 to order at 11:05 a.m. and The Honorable Tyler D. Bailey was present. The Honorable
 Edward H. McDowell, Jr. was absent.

 Approval of Minutes

 1. April 28, 2026 Health, Social, and Environmental Affairs Committee Meeting
 Minutes

 Upon a motion made by Mr. Bailey and seconded by Mr. Johnson, the Committee voted
 unanimously to approve the April 28, 2026 Health, Social, and Environmental Affairs
 Committee Meeting Minutes.

 Presentations

 2. Climate Protection Action Committee Update — Mr. Cameron Cohran, Chair

 Mr. Cameron Cohran, Chair reviewed the committee’s mission and goals, including
 achieving 100% renewable energy for City operations by 2036 and increasing public
 engagement in climate action. He noted ongoing building audits, the launch of a
 transparency dashboard, and upcoming benchmarks such as the 2030 goal of 50 MW of
 clean energy, Hydro Plant renovations, and a planned solar farm near the wastewater
 plant. He highlighted public engagement efforts, including Columbia’s 2025 Bee City
 designation, the monthly newsletter's increase in viewership, formation of a Smart Growth
 Subcommittee, the Earth Day 2026 Climate Action Fair, and quarterly environmental
 roundtables.

 Mr. Bob Petrilus noted the structural differences within the committee due to the use of
 subgroups, explaining that participants in these subcommittees are not official appointees.
 He emphasized the opportunity to identify solutions that benefit both residents and the
 environment and expressed hope that the City will continue implementing Smart Growth
 principles. He highlighted the importance of increasing awareness around walkable
 communities, quality-of-life-focused development, and improved communication across
 City departments. He also announced that the next CPAC meeting would be held on June 5,
 2026.

 There was discussion about CPAC providing an update to City Council, changes to the
 bylaws, and new appointments.




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 3. Hazard Mitigation Grant Program – Stormwater Mitigation Project Opportunity – Ms.
 Dana Higgins, P.E., Director of Engineering

 Ms. Dana Higgins, P.E., Director of Engineering provided an update on the Saluda Bypass
 and Maxcy Gregg stormwater project, which aims to reduce flooding in Five Points. The City
 applied for $45 million through the Hurricane Helene Hazard Mitigation Grant Program
 (HMGP) with a $15 million match, and was awarded $19 million. Staff is exploring options
 to address the remaining funding gap. The project includes two branches to redirect
 stormwater from Martin Luther King Jr. Park, Santee Avenue, and Blossom Street, with a
 total cost of approximately $50.8 million. The improvements are expected to reduce the
 current 38-acre inundation area from a 10-year storm by about 55%. Downstream work in
 Maxcy Gregg Park will include stream realignment, channel widening, and a flood bench,
 with continued efforts to protect the site’s grand trees.

 Mr. Clint Shealy, P.E., Assistant City Manager for Columbia Water explained that Charleston
 County Emergency Management brought the grant opportunity to the City during
 uncertainty about the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) grant. With
 the BRIC grant now moving forward, the additional $19 million from Helene funds is an
 unexpected benefit. He noted that the project requires both the conveyance system and
 the Maxcy Gregg Park improvements, as neither component is effective alone. Staff will
 continue coordinating with the Parks and Recreation Department on enhancements to the
 park, and the City is working with its rate consultant to evaluate the stormwater fund and
 the adequacy of rates for the next bond issuance.

 There was discussion about the downstream area at Martin Luther King Jr. Park, adding
 additional conveyance, the stormwater rate study, and alleviating flooding.

 4. Metro Wastewater Treatment Plant Solar Project Update – Mr. Clint Shealy, P.E.,
 Assistant City Manager of Columbia Water

 Mr. Clint Shealy, P.E., Assistant City Manager of Columbia Water reported that the Regional
 Solar Farm at the Metro Wastewater Plant is now feasible due to new grants and regional
 partnerships. He presented the preliminary site plan for the proposed solar installation on a
 vacant, low land area with high visibility from I-77. The design is for a canopy type
 array. A contract is planned for the June 9, 2026, City Council meeting agenda to ensure
 the City can spend 5% of project costs before July 1 and secure approximately $3.5 million
 in Inflation Reduction Act tax rebates. Combined with a Climate Pollution Reduction Grant,
 the incentives reduce the City’s share of an $8 to $9 million project to about $2.1 million.

 There was discussion about energy output; receiving an update from Eau Cliare
 Cooperative Health at the next meeting; and providing an update on the energy savings
 contract and the Canal Recovery Project.

 There was consensus of the committee to meet in June. The committee will not meet in
 July.

 Adjournment

 The meeting was adjourned at 11:43 a.m.


 Respectfully Submitted:


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 Erika D. Moore Hammond, MMC, CPM
 City Clerk




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