Health Social and Environmental Affairs Committee — Columbia, SC
Date: 2025-01-28
Time: 18:00

HEALTH, SOCIAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE
 MEETING AGENDA
 TUESDAY, JANUARY 28, 2025


The Health, Social and Environmental Affairs Committee will conduct a
meeting on Tuesday, January 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

 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. December 17, 2024 Health, Social, and Environmental Affairs Committee
 Meeting Minutes

PRESENTATIONS

2. Environmental Priorities and Strategies for 2025 - Mr. Clint Shealy, P.E.,
 Assistant City Manager of Columbia Water and Ms. Mary Pat Baldauf,
 Sustainability Facilitator

3. Greenway and Trails Update - Ms. Dana Higgins, P.E., LEED AP, Director of
 Engineering for Columbia Water

ADJOURNMENT




 Page 1 of 1

HEALTH, SOCIAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE
 MEETING AGENDA
 TUESDAY, JANUARY 28, 2025


The Health, Social and Environmental Affairs Committee will conduct a
meeting on Tuesday, January 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

 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. December 17, 2024 Health, Social, and Environmental Affairs Committee
 Meeting Minutes

PRESENTATIONS

2. Environmental Priorities and Strategies for 2025 - Mr. Clint Shealy, P.E.,
 Assistant City Manager of Columbia Water and Ms. Mary Pat Baldauf,
 Sustainability Facilitator

3. Greenway and Trails Update - Ms. Dana Higgins, P.E., LEED AP, Director of
 Engineering for Columbia Water

ADJOURNMENT




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MEETING DATE: January 28, 2025

DEPARTMENT: City Clerk

FROM: Erika Hammond, City Clerk

SUBJECT: December 17, 2024 Health, Social, and
 Environmental Affairs Committee Meeting Minutes
FUNDING SOURCE &
ORIGINAL BUDGET:


ATTACHMENTS:
  #a: HSEAC_MN_12172024 (DOCX)




Updated: 1/14/2025 8:54 AM Page 1
 Packet Pg. 2
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 HEALTH, SOCIAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE
 MEETING MINUTES
 TUESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2024


CALL TO ORDER

The Health, Social and Environmental Affairs Committee conducted a meeting on
Tuesday, December 17, 2024 at City Hall (Mayor's Conference Room), 1737 Main
Street, 2nd floor, Columbia, SC 29201. The Honorable Aditi Bussells, Chair called the
meeting to order at 1:00 p.m.

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

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

1. October 22, 2024 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 October 22, 2024 Health, Social, and
Environmental Affairs Committee Meeting Minutes.

PRESENTATIONS

2. Bloomberg Youth Climate Action Fund Update - Ms. Mary Pat Baldauf,
 Sustainability Administrator / Public Works Department – Received as
 information

Ms. Mary Pat Baldauf, Sustainability Administrator/Public Works Department provided
the latest update on the Bloomberg Youth Climate Action Fund. There are nine
participants: three college groups and six high school groups with a total funding
award of $43,000. The first reports were submitted on October 31, 2024 and final
reports are due by December 31, 2024. Additionally, the City of Columbia has been
selected by Bloomberg Philanthropies for Phase 2 of the Youth Climate Action Fund,
securing $100,000. To highlight these efforts, a showcase will be held on January 14,
2025 in the City Hall Lobby from 2:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. This event offers an
opportunity to learn about each project and be inspired by the passionate stories of
these young change makers.




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 Packet Pg. 3
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 HEALTH, SOCIAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE
 MEETING MINUTES
 TUESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2024


COMMITTEE DISCUSSION

3. Late-Night Food Trucks - Ms. Kalenna Ginyard, Program Compliance Specialist
 / Office of Business Opportunities – Received as information

Dr. Bussells explained that the idea for late-night food trucks came from an
experienced food truck operator, who pointed out the limited dining options available
after 11 p.m. on weekends, as most kitchens are closed. She recommended exploring
a similar concept in our entertainment districts after that time while ensuring that it
doesn't compete with existing brick-and-mortar businesses.

Ms. Kalenna Kinyard, Program Compliance Specialist/Office of Business Opportunities
explained that the initiative aims to expand food truck availability and create
opportunities for vendors to grow their customer base. Challenges include the need
for vendors to designate well-lit areas for food trucks to set up as well as collaborating
with the Columbia Police Department and Richland County to plan regular patrols and
establish effective crowd management strategies. Current potential locations include
The Vista, which could attract residents and visitors during evening hours and Five
Points, which could attract college students and young professionals.

There was discussion about city owned property being used as potential locations;
avoiding close proximity to restaurants; proposed timeframe; exploring options; time
of operation; coordinating with the hospitality districts; researching successful
programs in other states; and adding lighting and security at Page Ellington Park.

Dr. Bussells explained that Councilor Brennan is proposing a motion to create an ad
hoc committee within the larger committee to focus on some of the homeless
initiatives that have been under discussion. This will provide Kameisha and her team
with a direct line of communication and dedicated time to address that specific issue.
Additionally, the goal for the beginning of the year is to develop a map of health
initiatives for 2025, focusing on two to three key items, allowing staff adequate time
for preparation. She highlighted the importance of environmental priorities and
strategies, especially in light of the new administration and available funding
opportunities.

There was discussion about the status of PFAS for 2025; exploring ways to hold
responsible parties accountable for environmental pollution; and electric vehicle
sustainability in relation to the arrival of Scout Motors.



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 Packet Pg. 4
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 HEALTH, SOCIAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE
 MEETING MINUTES
 TUESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2024


Dr. Bussells requested an update on the Blue Bike vendor replacement, in anticipation
of the opening of the greenway and Finlay Park.

ADJOURNMENT

The meeting was adjourned at 1:29 p.m.

Respectfully submitted:



Erika D. Moore Hammond, CMC
City Clerk




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 Packet Pg. 5
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MEETING DATE: January 28, 2025

DEPARTMENT: City Clerk

FROM: Erika Hammond, City Clerk

SUBJECT: Environmental Priorities and Strategies for 2025 -
 Mr. Clint Shealy, P.E., Assistant City Manager of
 Columbia Water and Ms. Mary Pat Baldauf,
 Sustainability Facilitator
FUNDING SOURCE &
ORIGINAL BUDGET:




Updated: 1/23/2025 1:15 PM Page 1
 Packet Pg. 6
 3




MEETING DATE: January 28, 2025

DEPARTMENT: City Clerk

FROM: Erika Hammond, City Clerk

SUBJECT: Greenway and Trails Update - Ms. Dana Higgins,
 P.E., LEED AP, Director of Engineering for Columbia
 Water
FUNDING SOURCE &
ORIGINAL BUDGET:




Updated: 1/23/2025 1:27 PM Page 1
 Packet Pg. 7

HEALTH, SOCIAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE
 MEETING MINUTES
 TUESDAY, JANUARY 28, 2025


CALL TO ORDER

The Columbia Health, Social, and Environmental Affairs Committee conducted a
meeting on Tuesday, January 28, 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 1:01 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 Absent

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

1. December 17, 2024 Health, Social, and Environmental Affairs Committee
 Meeting Minutes - Approved

Upon a motion made by Dr. Bussells and seconded by Mr. McDowell, the Committee
voted unanimously to approve the December 17, 2024 Health, Social, and
Environmental Affairs Committee Meeting Minutes.

PRESENTATIONS

2. Environmental Priorities and Strategies for 2025 - Mr. Clint Shealy, P.E.,
 Assistant City Manager of Columbia Water and Ms. Mary Pat Baldauf,
 Sustainability Facilitator – Received as information.

Mr. Clint Shealy, P.E., Assistant City Manager of Columbia Water emphasized the
continued importance of maintaining compliance with drinking water, wastewater,
and stormwater regulations. This includes addressing sanitary sewer overflows,
improving water quality, and investing in infrastructure upgrades. He shared about
the efforts to extend project timelines with the EPA due to challenges like the 2015
flood and COVID-related delays. The team is working on more consistent
notifications to customers, especially during water main breaks. Infrastructure
upgrades are ongoing, with a focus on replacing old pipes to reduce service
disruptions.




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 HEALTH, SOCIAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE
 MEETING MINUTES
 TUESDAY, JANUARY 28, 2025


There was discussion about time extensions; metal plates on the streets and
backlogged work orders; line replacing; internal staff communications; and
proactive approaches.

Dr. Bussells suggested the additional option of an “Active Alerts” button to the
MyColaSC mobile application with the same functionality of reporting concerns or
paying utility bills. If a water concern has information that has changed rapidly, it
can be seen on the app in real time.

Mr. Clint Shealy, P.E., Assistant City Manager of Columbia Water said that ongoing
litigation regarding the regulation of perfluorinated substances in drinking water,
with the team continuing to study the potential impacts and costs. Recently, a
proposal for regulating wastewater effluent and bio solids was frozen under the new
administration, but the team remains committed to pursuing litigation to ensure
that polluters are held accountable for removing these substances. The team is also
exploring value engineering to mitigate costs while maintaining progress on
essential projects.

There was discussion about process of biogas recovery; embankment repair and
head gate replacement at the Metro Wastewater Treatment Plant; and anticipated
timeline.

Ms. Mary Pat Baldauf, Sustainability Facilitator shared the most recent grant
opportunities received by the city:

  Community Development Block Grant- $105,165 for decorative street lights
 in the Edisto Court community through June 30, 2025.

  Urban and Community Forestry Inflation Reduction Act - $290,015, funding
 covers tree costs, tree diapers, and catering for free tree planting lunch and
 learn events through June 30, 2029.

  Energy Efficiency Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) - $198,460 will retrofit
 city streetlights to LED bulbs through March 28, 2027.

  Climate Pollution Reduction Grant - $9 million to develop a climate action
 plan for the region, with implementation funds potentially supporting a solar
 farm.


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 HEALTH, SOCIAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE
 MEETING MINUTES
 TUESDAY, JANUARY 28, 2025


  Bloomberg Youth Climate Action Grant – $100,000 through October 31,
 2025.

Ms. Tina-Marie Sandoval, University of South Carolina student and Youth Climate
Action Fund recipient organized a service day with fellow students in North
Columbia's Meadow Lake neighborhood. They weatherized six homes to improve
energy efficiency and reduce CO2 emissions by air-sealing, caulking windows, and
installing door weatherization strips. Thirty students volunteered, gaining hands-on
experience and connecting with the community. If selected for the next round of
funding, the project will return to these homes to update attic insulation with a
third-party contractor.

There was discussion about servicing different locations.

Ms. Beata Dewitt, SC Carolina Public Health Association and Youth Climate Action
Fund recipient shared about the launch of College Climate Action Resilience Week.
Events included a Climate Café discussing urbanization, a Tree Planting Initiative at
MLK Jr. Park on Election Day, a "Don’t Waste Food SC" cooking demo, a Sustainable
Art exhibit on issues like fast fashion, and a Green Networking Breakfast focused on
youth and sustainability. A total of 45 students participated.

There was discussion about collaborative efforts in organizing the events
throughout the week.

Ms. Mary Pat Baldauf, Sustainability Facilitator highlighted ongoing initiatives with
CPAC, including bi-weekly core group and monthly full committee meetings. The
team is focused on implementing the Ready for 100 Project Resolution 2.0,
developing a tracking dashboard for upcoming launch, and prioritizing energy audits
and efficiency improvements. The city’s 45-year Tree City designation is also a key
focus, with the application for the 46th designation being processed, and 500 trees
planted annually to maintain the status.

There was discussion funding for additional tree planting.

3. Greenway and Trails Update - Ms. Dana Higgins, P.E., LEED AP, Director of
 Engineering for Columbia Water – This item was discussed. No action was
 taken.




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 HEALTH, SOCIAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE
 MEETING MINUTES
 TUESDAY, JANUARY 28, 2025


Ms. Dana Higgins, P.E., LEED AP, Director of Engineering for Columbia Water
shared an update on the city’s trail and greenway connections, including key
projects and future opportunities. Phase 3 of the Vista Greenway is progressing
from Elmwood to North Main, with Phase 4 planned to extend to Page Ellington
Park. Richland County’s Penny projects, including the Gill Creek, Crane Creek, and
Rocky Branch Greenways, are ongoing, with Crane Creek expected to finish by next
spring. The River Alliance is working on a project connecting Boyd Island to
Riverfront Park, set for completion by 2027. The team is also exploring grant
funding to enhance connectivity.

Dr. Bussells requested staff for a walkthrough of Finlay Park.

ADJOURNMENT

The meeting was adjourned at 1:58 p.m.

Respectfully submitted:



Erika D. Moore Hammond, CMC
City Clerk




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