Health, Social and Environmental Affairs Committee | June 23, 2026

The City of Columbia's Health, Social and Environmental Affairs Committee met on June 23, 2026, to discuss community health initiatives and a citywide energy savings project. Dr. Johnson from Oaklair Cooperative Health provided updates on expanding healthcare access, including opening a new teen and adolescent center and reactivating mobile health units across four counties. The committee discussed challenges such as transportation barriers for patients and food insecurity, exploring partnerships with public transportation and local food banks to support healthcare access. Additionally, David Marcus presented on the city's energy savings project, detailing the procurement process that led to selecting Schneider Electric for an energy audit and efficiency upgrades across approximately 80 city facilities. The project aims to establish a baseline of energy consumption, identify efficiency opportunities, and propose upgrade projects for city council approval. The committee discussed ongoing facility renovations and the integration of energy-saving measures like LED lighting and window replacements. Next steps include contract review by legal and city council approval to proceed with the energy savings initiatives.