City Council Highlights | November 15, 2022

Before the City Council Meeting on November 15, 2022 commenced, the City of Columbia held a press conference in Council Chambers to highlight November as Diabetes Awareness Month. District II Councilman and Mayor Pro-Tem, Edward McDowell Jr., kicked off the press conference and then turned it over to representatives from SCDHEC who discussed the impacts diabetes has on the community, specifically in the Midlands. Concluding the press conference, Councilman McDowell shared his personal story regarding diabetes, as an amputee, and encouraged the community to get tested and take control of their health.

During the presentation portion at the beginning of the City Council Meeting, Councilman McDowell also read and presented a proclamation recognizing November as Diabetes Awareness Month (Item #2).

This evening’s City Council Meeting featured the monthly Zoning Public Hearing, in which Council hears cases that have been to Planning Commission or were placed on the agenda by the Zoning Division in accordance to local and state statutes (Items #15-21 and 24 & 25).

Later in the City Council Meeting, City Council approved a 3-year contract extension to HomeServe USA Corp., which provides a water & sewer line repair warranty program and services to City of Columbia water and sewer utility customers that enroll in the program (Item #28).

HomeServe has been successful in providing repairs to thousands of customers who have signed up for their service. As of February 2022, approximately 12,469 Columbia residents were enrolled in programs, totaling 22,991 policies for water and sewer service lines. Since its inception, HomeServe has completed 9,349 service line repairs, with estimated savings to Columbia residents of over $3.7 million. The program continues to receive high ratings for customer satisfaction.

The City of Columbia will also be starting up a new leaf collection option this fall for residents, which allows residents to drop their bagged leaves at designated locations throughout the City. This newly added service will assist with keeping Columbia beautiful and our neighborhoods tidy. The City has also invested in a new roll off truck with an array of containers that adds to alternative collections services.

Solid Waste will be deploying these containers throughout the City for residents to drop off bagged leaves only and moving them to new locations weekly. Residents are encouraged to use these locations, but can still use regular curbside service.

Notices for the container locations will be disseminated via press releases, social media posts and on our website at www.ColumbiaSC.gov.

Residents can also stay up to date on container locations, recycling/trash pick-up schedules and more information from Solid Waste by downloading the Columbia, SC Solid Waste mobile app. The app can be found on the Apple and Android app stores. There is also a collection calendar and other sign up options online at https://publicworks.columbiasc.gov/waste-wizard/.

For more information about upcoming City Council meetings or general information about the City of Columbia, please visit www.ColumbiaSC.gov.