Health Social and Environmental Affairs Committee

Regular Meeting

Columbia, SC · March 26, 2024

Minutes

HEALTH, SOCIAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES TUESDAY, MARCH 26, 2024 CALL TO ORDER The Health, Social and Environmental Affairs Committee conducted a meeting on Tuesday, March 26, 2024 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. Attendee Name Title Status Aditi Bussells Chair Present Edward H. McDowell Member Remote Tyler D. Bailey Member Present COMMITTEE DISCUSSION 1. Columbia Tree and Appearance Commission Update - Mr. Russell Jeter and Ms. Kristin Dow, Co-Chair and Member of Columbia Tree and Appearance Commission – Received as information Ms. Kristin Dow, Member of the Columbia Tree and Appearance Commission said heat risks are not well integrated into emergency management. One way of addressing heat is by having adequate shade. Within the boundaries of the city, approximately 21% of tree canopy was lost due to cutting, dying, removal or clearing for different purposes. We are not able to see the efforts of the city to replace those large canopy trees. We joined a heat mapping campaign, which allows us to pursue an understanding of heat risks that we’re exposed to. We were able to get a grant with the support of the Richland County Conservation Commission, Climate Protection Action Committee and many others. Volunteers took instruments onto prescribed routes around the city to collect data. They looked at air temperature and humidity at the level people experience it. On a 93 degree day in the summer, you can see certain areas of the city are in danger. According to the National Weather Service, this means there is a probability of experiencing heat exhaustion or heat stroke. Mr. Russ Jeter, Co-Chair of the Columbia Tree and Appearance Commission said Dr. Dow has helped us focus on where we think the city can best spend its limited funds. We focused our efforts on where the money is and helpful solutions that won’t break the budget. The main objective of the proposed ordinance is to prohibit new utilities above ground where we’ve successfully undergrounded. This would apply to all new projects or renovations of a certain size. The ordinance would also strongly encourage or require the planting of trees where undergrounding has been accomplished. We would like to see the city do smaller projects that people will see. We think it will have a greater impact on the citizens. We would also request Page 1 of 3 HEALTH, SOCIAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES TUESDAY, MARCH 26, 2024 that city staff determine the cost of an additional water truck, employee, and all the related costs. We’re asking you to consider funding to underground one to two blocks annually. There was discussion about the potential assessment of citizens in each district, grants and federal dollars, and bandwidth within the intern program. There was consensus of the committee that staff should review the draft ordinance with the feedback before presenting it to the City Council for endorsement. 2. Rental Housing Ordinance - The Honorable Tyler D. Bailey – Received as information Councilor Bailey said I started looking at the residential rental ordinance that we have in place to give the City Attorney’s Office more tools when there are emergency situations. Ms. Jessica Kinard, Senior Assistant City Attorney said Councilman Bailey asked for an ordinance to help people that are displaced, especially in situations due to landlord neglect. In the City of Columbia, we do not have a civil cause of action. We only have criminal enforcement procedures and a criminal court. If we wanted to go after them, it would have to go to the Court of Common Pleas. Councilman Bailey provided us with ordinances from places around the country that are starting to require emergency plans from the landlords. If a major event occurs due to your neglect or issues that you’ve allowed to go unchecked, you have to be responsible for housing the tenants. For units or complexes that are deemed high risk, they will also have to file an emergency operations plan, which will include how to notify the tenants, defines the emergency, how the management company will take steps to ensure the tenants have a safe place to reside, remediation for the underlying cause of the event, and the owner’s plan to reintroduce the tenants to their prior living arrangements. This would have to include a copy of the certificate of insurance. If there is no insurance, the owner or property manager has to inform the tenants in writing. There was discussion about the connection with the Tenant’s Bill of Rights and sharing information with the Administrative Policy Committee, State Housing Authority, and Community Development. There was consensus of the committee to receive updates before moving forward to Council. Page 2 of 3 HEALTH, SOCIAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES TUESDAY, MARCH 26, 2024 3. Update on Perfluorinated Substances in Drinking Water - Mr. Clint Shealy, Assistant City Manager for Columbia Water – Received as information Dr. Bussells said Clint and his team introduced PFAS to myself, Councilman Duvall, and Councilman McDowell a few months ago. Since then, there has been a lot of attention around it. As the science is emerging, we wanted to get an update given that there are potential regulations from the Environmental Protection Agency that could affect us. Mr. Clint Shealy, Assistant City Manager for Columbia Water introduced the Utility Operations Director Frank Eskridge and Dr. Alejandra Beier, Water Compliance Manager. We wanted to make our customers and citizens aware that PFAS compounds are not something that we’re adding in the water. These are compounds that have been used in manufacturing and personal care products for years. We can see them at lower concentrations now because the analytical methods are getting better. That is what has prompted the EPA to move forward to propose this draft regulation. The average of all the data gathered shows that we are slightly below that regulatory threshold. This regulation may be finalized by mid-April of 2024. The data is readily available on our website and we have been transparent about the significant investment in treatment technology as well. We’re advocating strongly that these compounds be regulated out of our economy so they can’t be put into our receiving streams. They will pollute our waterways and that’s not good for our aquatic environment, fish consumption, or recreational use. There was discussion about investment in treatment technology in relation to the upcoming election, safe drinking water, and early detection of substances. There was consensus of the committee that updates on developments and testing results will be provided regularly. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 1:52 p.m. Respectfully submitted: Erika D. Moore Hammond, CMC City Clerk Page 3 of 3

Agenda

Packet

HEALTH, SOCIAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA TUESDAY, MARCH 26, 2024 The Health, Social and Environmental Affairs Committee will conduct a Council Standing Committee Meeting on Tuesday, March 26, 2024 at 1:00 p.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 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. Tree and Appearance Commission Update - Mr. Russell Jeter and Ms. Kristin Dow, Co- Chair and Member of Tree and Appearance Commission 2. Rental Housing Ordinance - The Honorable Tyler D. Bailey 3. Update on Perfluorinated Substances in Drinking Water - Mr. Clint Shealy, Assistant City Manager for Columbia Water ADJOURNMENT Page 1 of 1 1 MEETING DATE: March 26, 2024 DEPARTMENT: City Clerk FROM: Erika Hammond, City Clerk SUBJECT: Tree and Appearance Commission - Mr. Russell Jeter and Ms. Kristin Dow, Co-Chair and Member of Tree and Appearance Commission FUNDING SOURCE & ORIGINAL BUDGET: ATTACHMENTS:  City CTAC presentation (PDF) Updated: 3/19/2024 1:51 PM Page 1 Packet Pg. 2 1.b Attachment: City CTAC presentation (9170 : City of Columbia Tree and Appearance City of Columbia Tree and Appearance Commission Russ Jeter, Co-Chair Kirstin Dow, Member Packet Pg. 3 Heat is an increasingly serious, but manageable risk 1.b • In the south, heat is a Attachment: City CTAC presentation (9170 : City of Columbia Tree and Appearance given, but it’s getting hotter than it used to be. • Increased heat exposure impacts health. • Heat kills more people annually than any other weather hazard. • Heat risks are not well integrated into planning Packet Pg. 4 IMAGE CREDIT: NWS Zone 8a Zone 8b 1.b Packet Pg. 5 Attachment: City CTAC presentation (9170 : City of Columbia Tree and Appearance 1.b 2005-2020 21% Canopy Loss Caveats: Only within city boundaries 2020 Attachment: City CTAC presentation (9170 : City of Columbia Tree and Appearance Some areas cut before annexed to the city Does not show the potential of the smaller trees that are being planted • Satellite measurement of skin surface temperature Packet Pg. 6 1.b Packet Pg. 7 Attachment: City CTAC presentation (9170 : City of Columbia Tree and Appearance Columbia Heat Watch About 40 volunteers and more backup supporters 1.b Attachment: City CTAC presentation (9170 : City of Columbia Tree and Appearance Packet Pg. 8 1.b Heat Mapping Findings Attachment: City CTAC presentation (9170 : City of Columbia Tree and Appearance August 6-7th 2022 • 18.5 °F Temperature Differential Afternoon • 114.9° Maximum Heat Index • (OSHA Very High to Extreme) • 100.2°F Maximum Temperature • Air temperature about 6 feet • Airport recorded 93 °F • ≈ 9°F Morning and Evening Temperature Differential Packet Pg. 9 Packet Pg. 10 1.b Attachment: City CTAC presentation (9170 : City of Columbia Tree and Appearance Heat index values 1.b indicate potential Attachment: City CTAC presentation (9170 : City of Columbia Tree and Appearance risks Aug 6, 2022 Max Airport Temp 93° F Packet Pg. 11 1.b Benefits of Trees Attachment: City CTAC presentation (9170 : City of Columbia Tree and Appearance • Peak air temperatures in tree groves that are 9°F (5°C) cooler than over open terrain. • Temperatures over grass sports fields that are 2 to 4°F (1 to 2°C) cooler than over bordering areas. • Evapotranspiration and shade that trees provide help to cool down buildings and reduce the need for air conditioning, which then decreases energy consumption • In Charleston, large-scale vegetated areas were as much as 11.2°F cooler than non-green city centers • Trees improve air quality by intercepting particulate matter (PM10) and absorbing gaseous pollutants (NO2, SO2 , and O3 ) • Large trees (~37 ft. crown spread) intercept over 2,000 gallons of rainfall Ken Lund annually Packet Pg. 12 Reducing Urban Heat islands - EPA 1.b Opportunity to Improve Overall Attractiveness Attachment: City CTAC presentation (9170 : City of Columbia Tree and Appearance Packet Pg. 13 Columbia Tree & Appearance Commission August 2023) 1.b Recommendations for Council Consideration Attachment: City CTAC presentation (9170 : City of Columbia Tree and Appearance 1. Adopt an Ordinance Which 2. Undertake Supporting Actions a. Prohibits new utilities above ground a. The Mayor/Council request a review of the cost where utilities have been of procuring and operating one water truck to undergrounded water an additional 500 new trees per year. b. Requires undergrounding on all new b. Council fund an intern for the Tree and projects of a certain size Appearance Commission to gather information about possible grants or other sources of c. Strongly encourages or requires the funding for Undergrounding Utilities. planting of appropriate trees where undergrounding has been accomplished c. Council consider undergrounding one to two d. Sets up annual funding for burial of blocks annually in the central business district residential power lines on a rotating which are relatively inexpensive to underground. basis for each district in the City with d. City institute negotiations with Dominion Energy costs to be shared by the City and the on revising the terms of the Franchise affected Residents. Agreement. Packet Pg. 14 2 MEETING DATE: March 26, 2024 DEPARTMENT: City Clerk FROM: Erika Hammond, City Clerk SUBJECT: Rental Housing Ordinance - The Honorable Tyler D. Bailey FUNDING SOURCE & ORIGINAL BUDGET: Updated: 3/19/2024 9:08 AM Page 1 Packet Pg. 15 3 MEETING DATE: March 26, 2024 DEPARTMENT: City Clerk FROM: Erika Hammond, City Clerk SUBJECT: Update on Perfluorinated Substances in Drinking Water - Mr. Clint Shealy, Assistant City Manager for Columbia Water FUNDING SOURCE & ORIGINAL BUDGET: Updated: 3/22/2024 4:36 PM Page 1 Packet Pg. 16