[{"_1":2,"_121":-5,"_122":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,74,86,98,110],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},"mediaId",6359427,"mediaKeyId","2183040-adbb853972c9ac1dc870c0f625e07397","parentId",2183040,"title","Students, SEPHA present home weatherization and campus climate resiliency week","audioSeconds",652,"startMs",2546000,"endMs",3198000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2183040-adbb853972c9ac1dc870c0f625e07397&start=2546&end=3198","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2183040-adbb853972c9ac1dc870c0f625e07397/thumbnail_2546000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6359427/Columbia-City/Richland-County/South-Carolina/Students-SEPHA-present-home-weatherization-and-campus-climate-resiliency-week","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6359427-414dc8a4bd25ff135fd845d8a360c459/orig.mp4?Expires=1771208736&Signature=Wp-1rsPAZEMpOcumHyV-P3g~l47kqX0GlkMqEnAeQS55x0BE0MkyQi2u2QtWdQ~ZCOfdhsKJsgsplth78ES0ITdpHLXA2YMYCS6JwV6r0-S5239JugZZ4tLxMq5rVspsg-8TWDmoTB17A48X9sGxRyw6Z2i~Vwx10-6b1PvXD3nA923bv3i-rqV~BWkyuKXaamQcABauUrfK7jFW1RMnUSz~jdumJWFXomG4N1F6Vq0KQpv4d8AYiV5x8KKlRLm2HXhfI~pemCfzE158Hv4LMyqOryv~Qm7sHUjL4bPb2NG851fx24L8x9BiNj-3~S4n0KiSqouSH-PsvI~rLxqe3A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-01-29T07:06:16Z","article","Two student presenters and representatives of the South Carolina Public Health Association’s (SEPHA) environmental health section briefed the committee on community climate and resilience activities.

A University of South Carolina student described a home weatherization project that serviced six homes in the Meadowlake community (north Columbia) on Dec. 6. The student said volunteers (about 30) performed air-sealing measures — caulking windows and doors, installing weatherstripping and attic tents — and involved homeowners in the work so residents could replicate the measures. The presenter said the project resulted in immediate, visible reductions in draft through doors and that future work would focus on upgrading attic insulation if additional funds are available.

Beata DeWitt, representing the South Carolina Public Health Association, described a local college climate resiliency week that involved a Climate Café, a tree‑planting at Martin Luther King Park on election day (19 volunteers despite rain), a kitchen demonstration on food-waste prevention, a sustainable-art exhibit at the Columbia Museum of Art featuring interactive upcycling activities, and a Green Networking Breakfast with student and community speakers. DeWitt said about 45 students participated across events and that partners included the City of Columbia, University of South Carolina (Arnold School of Public Health and Office of Sustainability), Benedict College and the South Carolina Department of Environmental Services.

Presenters requested continued support for student-led resilience programming and described plans to expand into additional neighborhoods and schools if further funding is secured.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Health Social and Environmental Affairs Committee | January 28, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","University of South Carolina students described a home weatherization service day in the Meadowlake community and SEPHA outlined a college climate resiliency week featuring tree plantings, sustainable art and food-waste workshops.","taxTitle","Columbia City, Richland County, South Carolina","taxId",3706,"location","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6359432,"City updates Vista Greenway, Penny projects and Columbia Riverwalk plans; seeks grant leverage",460,3619000,4079000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2183040-adbb853972c9ac1dc870c0f625e07397&start=3619&end=4079","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2183040-adbb853972c9ac1dc870c0f625e07397/thumbnail_3619000.jpg","/articles/6359432/Columbia-City/Richland-County/South-Carolina/City-updates-Vista-Greenway-Penny-projects-and-Columbia-Riverwalk-plans-seeks-grant-leverage","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6359432-95571c92c919c618904cd71848151b6a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771208736&Signature=aioeSGafofC4GBbJ-sF6LDJki8v7uT8oFp2LV90U7y1xalF1wIs0PDqwFTNG444Hjcw6PY-n-0H-c~PC3f5hbNV7KytzTwSb1oGi6IKFxOKJJ1-VGWSUPeTtZO3SOdwr~nCqk0JqYXzvoJs4A5fo6Mm4eyMPeSz4I8Q-ixUppK~kN6o5XEIh-i4ajNag~YibZgAmEaXFmic-~L6nuvO5F9dWT74vo7OEAw-SCnAvOlctcXzrSG49uwc8o0sEMM02nCN4hRYYld2An4b5Wt0BFaTXBPqpin-Rot0BEO1~7n989UNJThCWu0AJv7TAcu8LwLOjIIawE5LHK5TIiJAn0w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Dana Higgins, director of engineering, and planning and landscape staff updated the committee on several greenway and trail projects including Vista Greenway Phase 3 (Elmwood to North Main), future Phase 4 to Page Ellington Park, and Penny‑funded Gills Creek, Crane Creek and Rocky Branch greenways.

Higgins said the Vista segment from Park to North Main is about 95% plan complete with right of way secured at a $3,000,000 cost estimate; the Elmwood‑to‑Park section is more complicated because right of way and topography remain challenges for the roughly 1.26‑mile segment. A notional Vista Phase 4 from North Main to Page Ellington Park is estimated at $4,000,000 for about 1.6 miles.

Higgins outlined three county Penny projects in design: Gills Creek Greenway (about 44,100 linear feet, $6,000,000), Crane Creek (about $3,000,000; engineers expect construction to be complete by next spring), and Rocky Branch (70% design, $3,000,000). She said the River Alliance is advancing a Boyd Island–riverfront park connection with funding from the Boyd Foundation and Penny funds; combined construction for those pieces is expected by summer 2027.

Higgins said the city is pursuing other connectivity (Saluda Riverwalk extension, Carolina Crossroads coordination) and potential future projects such as William Street phase 1 to connect Granby Park north to Gervais Street. She listed potential funding sources to leverage local matching dollars, including the Recreational Trails Program (federal), Parks and Recreation Development Fund (PARD), Land and Water Conservation Fund and CDBG.

The committee asked about right‑of‑way and permitting; staff said they are working with DOT and county partners to resolve crossings and easement issues. Higgins said the city and partners will continue to advance design and pursue grant funding to reduce the local share of costs.","Engineering staff briefed the committee on progress and cost estimates for Vista Greenway phases, Penny-funded greenway projects, and River Alliance riverfront connections, and identified state and federal trail grants as leverage opportunities.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6359437,"City warns federal grant freeze could delay projects; staff lists multiple environment grants",432,2018000,2450000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2183040-adbb853972c9ac1dc870c0f625e07397&start=2018&end=2450","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2183040-adbb853972c9ac1dc870c0f625e07397/thumbnail_2018000.jpg","/articles/6359437/Columbia-City/Richland-County/South-Carolina/City-warns-federal-grant-freeze-could-delay-projects-staff-lists-multiple-environment-grants","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6359437-3896bfe2434840ccb6a6cfdc3a7b6e32/orig.mp4?Expires=1771208736&Signature=ikKqIuIkiYQ6CIWbzasixVGyIRsuvyQ~snwCA7LIVgDQfiqNB8QLU9yklTGcTCoh5goyNmvto-tIEbN4e9BnanrDwvIILPXcLCOdWM2SIYOYaSm92zhG6fH4CMabDd0onEOSXrala5KLZbX5EdB2aCWU5034O-WvU2RIuORuvlJt3po4-fuDk~UsUCRChDGbqdVEzoRh5dYDV5lKmtyM2WTmstluBpsbCjQYNnF~YK0fUEKN2GWRQ1PI5Vkbm~-bfGlUVQ1SGlnGifDBm93bHIh9eoqCRNyag6oRjNzh8NQK5eODDEg5cvZ8mfYRSP8C1qIuk225xnzvSKePa4vG-w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Mary Pat, the city grants presenter, told the committee that an Office of Management and Budget action issued the morning of the meeting placed a temporary pause on federal grants and awards until Feb. 10 while agencies review incoming awards under the new administration.

She said the pause is temporary but unclear in scope and could affect multiple projects that rely on federal dollars, including the Assembly Street grade separation and several environmental grants discussed in her presentation. \"It's a temporary pause and up until February 10th for them, the agencies to study the grants and the awards,\" she said.

Mary Pat summarized grants the city is administering or has applied for: a $105,000 CDBG (Community Development Block Grant) from HUD to install nine decorative streetlights in Addison Court (reimbursable; close date June 30, 2025); an Urban Community Forestry Inflation Reduction Act subaward administered through the Arbor Day Foundation and USDA to provide trees to residents in Justice40-designated areas (grant period through June 30, 2029); a $198,000 Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) from the Department of Energy to retrofit city street lights to LED (project reimbursable; grant period ends March 28, 2027); and the Climate Pollution Reduction Grants (CPRG) from EPA — $1,000,000 for planning and $8,700,000 for implementation across the metropolitan statistical area, including a proposed multi-jurisdictional solar farm (planning ends June 30, 2027; implementation ends Oct. 31, 2029).

Mary Pat said some awarded funds have been obligated but not yet distributed and that staff is watching whether already‑distributed monies remain available; she said the city is not yet holding the funds in most cases and is awaiting receipt. Committee members asked whether awarded funds already sent to recipients would be frozen; Mary Pat said she was unsure and staff were seeking clarification.

She also noted smaller grants and programs such as the Bloomberg Youth Climate Action Grant ($100,000) and explained that some grants are reimbursable: the city must complete work and file for reimbursement to receive funds. The committee heard that many grants require meeting Justice40 coverage for tree-planting and that some programs include community events tied to planting and education.

No formal committee action was recorded on the grants during the meeting; staff said they will monitor developments through their federal lobbyist and return with updates.","City staff told the committee a White House memo temporarily paused federal grants until Feb. 10, potentially delaying projects such as the Assembly Street grade separation and several environmental grants the city has applied for or expects to receive.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6359442,"Columbia Water outlines 2025 priorities: consent-decree work, pipe replacement, Canal Recovery and biogas project",1467,642000,2109000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2183040-adbb853972c9ac1dc870c0f625e07397&start=642&end=2109","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2183040-adbb853972c9ac1dc870c0f625e07397/thumbnail_642000.jpg","/articles/6359442/Columbia-City/Richland-County/South-Carolina/Columbia-Water-outlines-2025-priorities-consent-decree-work-pipe-replacement-Canal-Recovery-and-biogas-project","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6359442-fb8a01905396529c7c2845fd27b666c0/orig.mp4?Expires=1771208736&Signature=K4NEH9JLyZjXV29ub4HwG5TyFiNgDi~QlzY5BujlCsnH2zq11MF8EfFw9FIavS4wKOG58Q~uGxFZZMx7uCvBO0Gp84UBpdZSqLJ2u8pDY1zDFQkEiQfF8oNKV27av-DDpnUMVOgRILNVWpA-MWWY5YbfclNW0kMFA9o5PTMK0fTNHQNQurOw-rHWE1MITbyCOHVHCPKj0RBCw0e95kGylY~2gvVhOHnp0KoLrEuBe5pFVj8PgRVRShabRVEZtAvOeD2JXAha0SOPI49I5a7GEvUg8WlJyVDXXifctdq6ghU~7zg0jJ9~~XBjGUi0ZLN4fQdH7qZmfvklOlrQBBfSVQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Assistant City Manager Shealy told the Health, Social and Environmental Affairs Committee that Columbia Water’s core priorities for 2025 are maintaining regulatory compliance for drinking water, wastewater and stormwater permits and continuing capital work to reduce sanitary sewer overflows.

Shealy said the utility has applied to EPA for two force majeure time extensions tied to events beyond its control — the 2015 flood and COVID-related delays — and that negotiations “have been very fruitful” so far. She said those potential extensions would push some of the longest-lead consent-decree deadlines out roughly 18–24 months, “that would put us out into around 2031 for completion.”

On operations, Shealy described an elevated number of water-main and service-line breaks after January cold snaps and said crews are prioritizing replacements of repeatedly failing lines instead of repeated repairs. Shealy said the utility has been improving customer communications, adding a temporary service-interruption notification, and issuing quicker advisories when contamination risk is suspected. Shealy acknowledged mixed messages reached customers during a recent 16-inch cast-iron main break in Earlwood that led to discolored water calls: “If it doesn’t, call us,” she advised, describing an 85‑year‑old main that was repaired under pressure so a boil-water advisory was not required.

Shealy updated the committee on several large projects: Columbia Water has begun construction on a $62,000,000 resilient water supply project referred to as Canal Recovery and anticipates permitting and bidding for embankment repair and headgate replacement this calendar year. Shealy said embankment repair and headgate replacement construction timelines are roughly 24–30 months and about 18 months respectively and that the utility “anticipate[s] those projects to be completed within calendar year 2027.”

Shealy also outlined a public‑private partnership to recover biogas at the Metro facility. Under the described arrangement a third party would lease city property, build and pay for the gas-cleaning facility, clean the gas to pipeline quality and inject renewable natural gas back into the pipeline; Columbia Water would receive a proportional revenue share. Shealy said no Columbia Water or city dollars will be spent and added that, if the Inflation Reduction Act tax credit remains available, it could produce a “fairly significant lump sum payment to the utility.”

The committee’s discussion included questions about backlog and response times, and Shealy said the utility has reduced backlog and is tracking progress in monthly dashboards. Shealy also noted the utility had modeled conservative new-demand revenue of about $4,000,000 annually from an anticipated customer (Scott Motors) and said that customer will not be online this fiscal year but is projected to be in the next.

No binding council votes on these projects were recorded in the meeting; several items are described as planning, procurement or pending permitting, and Shealy cautioned that some capital bids have come in higher than expected and the utility is repackaging or value‑engineering projects as needed.","Assistant City Manager Shealy and staff told the committee Columbia Water will keep permit compliance top of its 2025 work, seek EPA time extensions on long-lead projects, continue targeted pipe replacements, and advance a $62 million Canal Recovery supply project and a biogas public-private partnership.",{"_33":111,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":112,"_41":113,"_43":114,"_45":114,"_47":115,"_49":116,"_51":117,"_53":118,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":119,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":120,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6359446,"Committee approves minutes of Dec. 17 Health, Social and Environmental Affairs meeting",0,611000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2183040-adbb853972c9ac1dc870c0f625e07397&start=611&end=611","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2183040-adbb853972c9ac1dc870c0f625e07397/thumbnail_611000.jpg","/articles/6359446/Columbia-City/Richland-County/South-Carolina/Committee-approves-minutes-of-Dec-17-Health-Social-and-Environmental-Affairs-meeting","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6359446-e5b02e3f0cc0f766e20027a624a9c2ee/orig.mp4?Expires=1771208736&Signature=PWVybZk4EW4iGpy7gnwBp-VcFqrmlcRtWycI0rtPHlrlIswVZh5CywhOkeZG7h55de60QZUt12vEZMkPyK2SLkcwsSNOoPj3dylCcMSwx-tK3hwt9US-XpGHOSPqf75QB3SAneUFKsQVg98Rx~jGu8qcUBc0OCueHIHkwLlxqHF6mro0q0b4JJVbKh8YJeevHE8JRxEc~TGIJ1MgnESdxkE3j-4xsaUHZ3cttTQQKNI19A3bUwn8fH6W8~0jRCwEe54lPTZbGZKJot8~bPfHcN1D16zHkAsbInT1X5YSimkB4jrSq40MatifwkEpydwyBbCTS9WnP-jDvVpNycwmog__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Health, Social and Environmental Affairs Committee approved the minutes of its Dec. 17 meeting after a member moved and another seconded the action.

The motion to approve the minutes was called for at the start of the session and received a second; the chair announced they had been approved and the committee later took a motion and second to adjourn, ending the meeting at roughly 1:58 p.m.

No additional formal actions or votes were recorded on the transcript beyond approval of the minutes and the motion to adjourn.","Members moved, seconded and approved the minutes of the committee's Dec. 17 meeting and then adjourned at about 1:58 p.m.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Students, SEPHA present home weatherization and campus climate resiliency week

City updates Vista Greenway, Penny projects and Columbia Riverwalk plans; seeks grant leverage

City warns federal grant freeze could delay projects; staff lists multiple environment grants

Columbia Water outlines 2025 priorities: consent-decree work, pipe replacement, Canal Recovery and biogas project

Committee approves minutes of Dec. 17 Health, Social and Environmental Affairs meeting