City Council Standing Committee — Columbia, SC
Date: 2026-05-26
Time: 11:00

Columbia Health Social and Environmental Affairs Committee Meeting Agenda
 Tuesday, May 26, 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. April 28, 2026 Health, Social, and Environmental Affairs Committee Meeting Minutes

Presentations

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

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

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

Adjournment




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Columbia Health Social and Environmental Affairs Committee Meeting Agenda
 Tuesday, May 26, 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. April 28, 2026 Health, Social, and Environmental Affairs Committee Meeting Minutes

 Presentations

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

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

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

 Adjournment




 Page 1 of 1

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 Columbia Health Social and Environmental Affairs Committee Meeting Minutes
 Tuesday, April 28, 2026

 Call to Order

 The Columbia Health Social and Environmental Affairs Committee conducted a meeting on
 Tuesday, April 28, 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 1:05 p.m. and The Honorable Tyler D. Bailey was present. The Honorable
 Edward H. McDowell, Jr. was absent.

 Approval of Minutes

 1. March 24, 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 March 24, 2026 Health, Social, and Environmental Affairs
 Committee Meeting Minutes.

 Presentations

 2. Prisma Health Community Initiatives – Ms. Lisa McFarlane, Vice President / Prisma
 Health

 Mr. Anthony Jackson, Senior Vice President of Service Lines and Chief Community Officer /
 Prisma Health acknowledged the significant opportunities within Columbia to create positive
 change. He stated that Prisma Health recognizes meaningful improvement requires
 collaboration and emphasized the importance of providing patients with multiple options for
 accessing care.

 Ms. Lisa McFarlane, Vice President of Business Development / OnMed presented an
 overview of the OnMed Care Station, an ADA-accessible “clinic in a box” that connects
 patients to live clinicians through a walk-in telehealth model. Patients can be diagnosed and
 treated for nearly 90% of lower-acuity conditions on site. This helps to reduce costly
 emergency room visits, particularly among unhoused populations. She noted that the
 stations support up to 240 languages, require only a standard three-prong outlet, are
 satellite enabled for underserved areas, and operate under a subscription-based model with
 no cost to patients. Each station is assigned a care manager to assist with coordination and
 continuity of care.

 Ms. Stacy McPhail, System Director / Prisma Health outlined uninsured and out-of-pocket
 emergency department costs across the Midlands, noting that approximately $104 million is
 spent on emergency department visits regionally. She also emphasized the importance of
 wraparound services for the care stations, including social worker and community health
 worker support.



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 Mr. Anthony Jackson, Senior Vice President of Service Lines and Chief Community Officer
 / Prisma Health said that the OnMed stations are not solely intended to serve the
 unhoused population, but also provide broader community health benefits. He noted that
 emergency rooms in Columbia experience significant wait times and high costs, while many
 of the conditions treated in emergency rooms could be addressed through the care
 stations. He stated that emergency room visits are among the most expensive forms of
 healthcare engagement and highlighted the potential for hospitals to utilize the stations to
 help manage lower-acuity patients. He also emphasized that accessible healthcare supports
 workforce availability by helping individuals manage chronic conditions such as diabetes
 and other illnesses.

 There was discussion about OnMed's current use in the Midlands; use for pediatrics; the
 pay structure; and subscription costs.

 3. Riparian Buffer Zones Follow-up – Ms. Dana Higgins, P.E., Engineering Director

 Ms. Dana Higgins, P.E., Engineering Director provided a follow-up to the previous month’s
 presentation regarding a proposed 100-foot increase to the riparian buffer. She stated that
 staff researched the buffer policies for neighboring municipalities and identified 66 affected
 parcels involving 29 property owners along the Lower Saluda, Broad, and Congaree Rivers
 within the City limits. She noted that properties already containing a 100-foot buffer within
 the floodway were removed from consideration. She also shared that the Stormwater team
 has been exploring an alternative approach through a special protection area utility fee
 credit program. Under the proposal, properties providing an additional 50-foot buffer
 beyond the existing 50-foot ordinance requirement could receive a 15% utility fee
 reduction, while properties providing an additional 150-foot buffer could receive a 45%
 reduction. The program would apply to applicable parcels throughout the City of Columbia
 and would provide fee credits and help protect local river corridors.

 Mr. Clint Shealy, P.E., Assistant City Manager of Columbia Water added that the proposed
 approach would have a broader impact beyond the rivers by extending protections to
 streams as well. He noted that it would provide commercial and industrial property owners
 the opportunity to receive significant utility fee reductions and stated that the City of
 Columbia could move forward with issuing credits immediately.

 Mr. Bill Stangler, Congaree Riverkeeper supported the proposed buffer requirements,
 noting that Lexington and Richland counties already mandate 50-foot buffers. He endorsed
 using the incentives and the proposed 100-foot buffers along the three main stem rivers to
 encourage stronger protections citywide. He emphasized that relatively few properties
 would be affected and said the combined approach would demonstrate a commitment to
 protecting water quality and habitat.

 There was discussion about incentives in neighboring municipalities.

 4. Richland County Transportation Penny Program Review – Ms. Dana Higgins, P.E.,
 Engineering Director and Mr. Robert Anderson, Public Works Director

 Ms. Dana Higgins, P.E., Engineering Director shared that staff has met monthly with
 Richland County since the introduction of the 2012 Transportation Penny Program to review
 project updates and the status of projects still in queue. She noted that voters approved
 the 2024 referendum, prompting discussions regarding the new Transportation Penny
 Program. She stated that Richland County does not plan to issue bonds and will instead
 utilize revenues as they are collected, with the first distribution estimated at approximately


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 $21 million. She added that a portion of the funding will be allocated to The COMET and
 expressed optimism that paving projects could begin moving forward during the next fiscal
 year.

 Mr. Clint Shealy, P.E., Assistant City Manager of Columbia Water explained that the City of
 Columbia develops and prioritizes project lists annually as part of the Transportation Penny
 Program process. He noted that this would be the first allocation of funding from the new
 referendum and that projects have been categorized with the understanding that first-year
 revenues will be limited. He stated that the process also helps establish a consistent
 rhythm for submitting future projects.

 Mr. Robert Anderson, Public Works Director discussed the opportunity to establish a
 recurring paving program for the City of Columbia through the new Transportation Penny
 funding. He explained that the City of Columbia previously conducted a Pavement Condition
 Index (PCI) study, which rated city-owned streets on a scale from 0 to 100 and was used
 to develop rebuild and paving lists. He shared the average PCI ratings by district: District 1
 at 64%; District 2 at 57%; District 3 at 61%; and District 4 at 65%. He noted that Richland
 County requested a funding level of $10 million annually and stated that the City of
 Columbia is developing a scalable and equitable paving program that could adjust if funding
 levels are reduced. Street selections were based on the percentage of city-owned streets
 within each district, while also considering intersecting streets, upcoming water and sewer
 projects, and planned bicycle and pedestrian improvements to ensure coordinated
 infrastructure planning.

 There was discussion about providing aid to neighborhoods at nearby state road
 intersections.

 Ms. Dana Higgins, P.E., Engineering Director reviewed proposed sidewalk, bikeway,
 greenway, and special infrastructure projects tied to the 2024 Richland County
 Transportation Penny Program, including the Vista Greenway, Waterfront Park Trail,
 Assembly Streetscape phases, railroad quiet zone improvements, and the Assembly Rail
 Separation Project. She noted ongoing coordination with SCDOT and Norfolk Southern,
 discussed funding needs and project timelines, and stated that several projects are under
 construction, in design, or moving toward construction, while additional opportunities will
 continue to be evaluated as funding becomes available.

 There was discussion about riverfront district connections, the state buy-back program, and
 SCDOT's modernization and request for funds from the Transportation Penny Program.

 Adjournment

 The meeting was adjourned at 1:59 p.m.


 Respectfully Submitted:



 Erika D. Moore Hammond, MMC, CPM
 City Clerk




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  Climate Protection Action Committee Update
 Health, Social & Environmental Affairs Committee Meeting
 May 26, 2026




Page 5 of 29
 Agenda




 Mission & Members Activities & Update Priorities & Request




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 Mission and Background
  Established – 2006.
  CPAC’s Mission – To develop and advocate for effective
 strategies to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions, adapt to
 climate change, conserve natural resources and otherwise
 protect the environment at a City level, while also fostering
 an improved quality of life for the citizens of the City of
 Columbia.
  CPAC’s Purpose – To recommend and oversee the
 development and implementation of mission-based
 programs and projects within the City of Columbia.




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 CPAC Goals
 1.Ready for 100: By 2036, all city
 operations will be powered by
 100% clean, renewable energy.
 2.Engage the public in climate
 action.

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 CPAC Appointees
 The Best Minds Working with our City


  Cameran Cohran (Commercial & Green  Benjamin Marosites (CAD/GIS Administrator,
 Lending) (Chair) Richland County)
  Dennis Wiehl ( Retired Architect) (Vice Chair)  Caroline Nagel (Professor of Geography,
 University of South Carolina)
  Joyce Rose-Harris (SC Association of
 Community Action Partnerships) (Secretary)  Julie Seel (Sustainability and Environmental
 Director)
  Bob Petrulis (Education & Research)
  Dave Voyles (Legal - Aviation)
  Josey Cline (Legal - Workers’ Compensation)




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 Ready For 100:
 2025-2026 Achievements


  City is engaged with company to
 perform energy audit on buildings and
 facilitate energy improvements.


  Dashboard template created, ready to
 populate as projects progress.




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 CPAC Benchmarks




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 Engage the Public in Climate Action
 2025 -2026 Achievements
 • In August, 2025, the City of Columbia was officially recognized as a Bee City USA.
 • Established Subcommittee on Smart Growth.
 • Columbia Earth Day Climate Action Fair 2026 – Majority of market attendees walked through
 the Earth Day intersection. (200 people submitted Earth Day Pledges at CPAC booth.)
 • Speaking Sustainability - Subscribers increased by 13% over the last 12 months.
 • Completed 2nd Bloomberg Youth Climate Grant Program: Funded $150,000 in grants since
 2024 ($100,000 in 2025).




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Page 13 of 29
Page 14 of 29
 CPAC Priorities
 2026 – 2027

  Monitoring Ready for 100.
  Advocating Climate-Friendly Smart
 Growth Strategies.
  Advocating for Urban Farming and
 Land Conversation via Bee City
 Initiatives.
  Implement/Update Bylaws (Pending
 Council Approval).




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 Smart Growth Group
 2026–2027 Priorities
  What is good for Columbia’s quality of life is also good
 for the environment!
  Climate-friendly policies are citizen-friendly. They make
 Columbia:
  Safer.

  More attractive.

  Free from pollution.

  More connected to nature and natural systems.

  Easier and more efficient to get around.

  Less expensive and more fair.

  Many Smart Growth strategies are already
 being implemented in Columbia!
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 Urban Farming & Bee City
 2026–2027 Priorities

 Initiatives to Engage the Public
 Citywide Pollinator Census.
 World Bee Day.
 Beat the Heat – Plant a Tree.
 Pollinator Gardens at City Parks.



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 Upcoming Events
  CPAC Meetings: Monthly, First Friday. Next Meeting: Friday, June 5.
 Working Sessions: As Needed, Third Friday. 9 a.m. Hybrid Format and
 Open to All. Next meeting: Friday, June 26th.
  Next Environmental Roundtable: Friday, October 16, 9 a.m.




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 Hazard Mitigation Grant Program
 Stormwater Mitigation Project Opportunity

 Health, Social and Environmental Affairs
 Committee

 May 26, 2026




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 Saluda By-Pass and Maxcy
 Gregg

 • Stormwater Project to address flooding in 5 points.

 • Grant request to SCEMD under HMGP 4829- Hurricane Helene

 • Total Cost for Storm Project: $58.5M

 • Grant request: $45,202,606.50 with local match of $15,067,535

 • Grant Award: $19,000,000

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 Saluda By-Pass

 • 10’x6’ culvert increasing to dual
 12’x10’ culverts down Santee

 • 12’ x 10’ culvert down Blossom

 • Cost: $50.8M




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 Saluda By-Pass
 Existing Conditions, 10-year storm Proposed Conditions, 10-year storm




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 Maxcy Gregg Improvements

  • Stream
 realignment
 and widening

  • Cost: $7.7M




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 Metro Wastewater Treatment
 Plant Solar Project Update
 Clint Shealy, Assistant City Manager – Columbia Water
 May 26, 2026




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 Metro WWTP Solar Project
 Location




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 Metro WWTP Solar Project
 Preliminary Site Plan


 Simmon Tree Lane




 Metro Lane


 1.4 MW Ac Force Main
 Solar Array Easement




Page 26 of 29 I-77
 Metro WWTP Solar Project
 Grant Funding

 • This project will utilize a Federal Climate Pollution
 Reduction Grant (CPRG) under the Inflation Reduction Act
 (IRA)
 • This grant pays 36% of the solar project costs
 • We intend to seek Investment Tax Credit reimbursements
 after the project is completed and fully connected to the
 electrical grid
 • The ITC reimbursement should total 40% of the solar project
 costs
 • The remaining 24% would be paid by City capital funds
 and by municipal partners’ contributions
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 Metro WWTP Solar Project
 General Timeline

 • Award and contract with the Solar
 Design/Procurement/Construction Company – June 2026
 • Begin Construction – Fall 2026
 • Complete Construction – Summer 2027
 • Tie-into Dominion Energy’s electrical grid by December
 2027




Page 28 of 29
 Metro Wastewater Treatment
 Plant Solar Project Update
 Clint Shealy, Assistant City Manager – Columbia Water
 May 26, 2026




Page 29 of 29

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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