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Highlights:National Environmental

Leadership Program- the State Electronics

Challenge- Recognizes the City of Columbia,

South Carolina as a 2017 Sliver Award Winner

Open Streets

Columbia

Solid Waste AwardedCarolina Recyling

Association Award

City Manager’sSpotlight

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The City of Columbia, South Carolina received a Silver award on April 17 for its achievements in the State Electronics Challenge; a comprehensive nationwide environmental sustainability initiative that currently reaches more than 223,000 employees in 39 states. The City was recognized for its accomplishments in green procurement and the responsible reuse and

recycling of electronic office equipment in 2016.

“This is Columbia’s first year of participating in the Challenge and it has already demonstrated an outstanding commitment to environmental leadership,” commented Lynn Rubinstein, State Electronics Challenge Program Manager. She added that “the City Columbia is one of 17 organizations nationally being recognized this year and the only one in South Carolina.”

As a result of these environmental initiatives, in 2016 the City of Columbia saved enough energy to power 527 households per year, avoided greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to removing 757 cars from the road per year, as well as avoided the generation of almost 8,000

pounds of hazardous waste – equivalent to the weight of 29 refrigerators.

“Information Technology’s work impacts the entire City, so it’s important for us to lead the way in sustainable purchasing, operation and disposal of our equipment” said Terence Murchison, Chief Information Officer for the City of Columbia’s Information Technology Department. “Because we were already following so many SEC [State Electronics Challenge] recommendations, it didn’t cost anything, and we might even save some money, too. And

we’re shooting for gold next year.”

A full list of winners and their environmental accomplishments can be found on the State Electronics Challenge website (www.stateelectronicschallenge.net).

“The State Electronics Challenge provides state, tribal, regional and local agencies, as well as schools, colleges and universities and non-profit organizations with a great opportunity to integrate concepts of sustainability and waste reduction into their operations,” added Ms. Rubinstein. “It’s inspiring to see programs such as this one developed and implemented by the City to ensure that the highest environmental practices are met through the lifecycle of

office equipment.“

The State Electronics Challenge awards were made possible through donations from Samsung and the R2/RIOS Program.

National Environmental Leadership

Program - the State Electronics

Challenge -Recognizes the City of

Columbia, South Carolina as a 2017 Silver

Award Winner

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Speaking to a group of local business leaders at the Columbia Chamber’s Issues Forum- April 4, 2017

Over the course of a two week period, City Manager Teresa Wilson spoke to citizens and stakeholders to introduce and give updates on the progress of the #EnvisionColumbia Initiative.

Through these speaking engagements Ms. Wilson was able to educate the citizens of Columbia on ongoing and upcoming City projects and initiatives as well as respond to general questions. She also asked for feedback to further assess community needs.

Sparking Citizen Engagement with #EnvisionColumbia

Speaking to another group of business leaders at the Commercial Real Estate Women Luncheon- April 4, 2017

Speaking to residents at the University Hill Neighborhood Association General Membership Meeting -April 10, 2017

Community DevelopmentCelebrates National Community

Development WeekThe City’s Community Development department celebrated National Community Development Week in the City of Columbia to recognize all of the programs and projects that were made possible by the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program and the HOME Investment Partnerships (HOME) Program.

National Community Development Week kicked-off with a press conference on Monday, April 17. During the press conference City officials announced plans for the week-long celebration (April 17th -April 21st) that brought citizens, government officials, businesses, media and non-profit organizations together to showcase the impact of CDBG and HOME in the community. On Wednesday, April 19, the City of Columbia Community Development Department in partnership with Richland County Community Development and the Columbia Housing Authority hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony in the Lyon Street Neighborhood. The Lyon Street neighborhood has been a focus of Community Development for a number of years and they were proud to announce new homes to re-vitalize the area.

In honor of National Community Development Week, 12 new homes are currently being constructed in the Lyon Street Neighborhood. City of Columbia Community Development is funding the construction expense of 5 homes. Richland County Community Development is funding 2 homes and Columbia Housing Authority is funding 5 homes.

The week-long celebration ended with a community block party at 1225 Lady Street. The celebration included free food, games, music, door prizes, raffles & City information booths.

National CD Week also serves as an opportunity for educating the public about the many programs that the City has to offer.

*****Please see page 6 for the full photo gallery*****

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Over the course of a two week period, City Manager Teresa Wilson spoke to citizens and stakeholders to introduce and give updates on the progress of the #EnvisionColumbia Initiative.

Through these speaking engagements Ms. Wilson was able to educate the citizens of Columbia on ongoing and upcoming City projects and initiatives as well as respond to general questions. She also asked for feedback to further assess community needs.

Sparking Citizen Engagement with #EnvisionColumbia

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National Community Development Week Photo Gallery

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National Community Development Week Press Conference Kick-OffApril 17, 2017

Community Block PartyApril 21, 2017

Lyon Street Neighborhood Ribbon Cuting Ceremony

April 19, 2017

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The City of Columbia held it’s first “Open Streets” event on April 2, 2017 in the Devine St. Neighborhood. Open Streets Columbia is a street transformation festival that closes down major roadways for citizens to enjoy the streets with an array of activities for them to enjoy. The festival focused on promoting sustainable transportation opportunities, physi-cal fitness & wellness, civic pride and living streets.

The event featured family-friendly activities for all ages & encouraged the use of alternative transportation: walking, biking, riding the Comet, or carpooling to the event.

To learn more about walk & bike friendly initiatives, please visit www.ColumbiaSC.net/planning-preservation/bpac.

Open Streets Columbia

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Columbia Fire Department’sMDA Fill the Boot Drive

Check Presentation

On Thursday, April 13, the Columbia Fire Department presented Tara Heil, Executive Director of the Muscular Dystrophy Association, Greater South Carolina, with a check from the annual Fill The Boot fundraising campaign in March.

Every year the Columbia Fire Department holds a fundraising boot drive to collect funds for the Muscular Dystrophy Association which is CFD’s biggest fundraising effort. Over the course of three days, firefighters collected money at intersections throughout the City of Columbia and Richland County.

The Columbia Fire Department raised $133,444.42 this year, which brings their total to approximately $3 million collected since they began participating in the fundraiser.

In 1991, the United States Congress designated the second full week of April as National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week. This week is designed to recog-

nize and honor the Nation’s “first” first responders -- public safety telecommuni-cators -- for their contributions to the safety and security of residents in the United

States.

Every day, the citizens of Richland County and the City of Columbia depend on the skill, expertise, and commitment of the men and women who answer their 911 calls. So, during the week of April 9– 15th, the City recognized the Columbia-Rich-land 911 Communications department for all of their efforts, and on Wednesday,

April 12, Columbia-Richland 911 held a special luncheon for staff members.

Citizens were also encouraged to take a moment during the week of April 9th to contact the dedicated men and women that work at Columbia-Richland 911

Communications and thank them for their contributions to Public Safety and the citizens they serve!

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Columbia-Richland 911Communications Celebrates

National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week

A 2015 study done by the ASPCA showed that 30 to 40% of owners surrendering their pets to shelters did not want to do so; they just needed temporary help. In an effort to keep beloved pets with their owners or save pets a stay at the shelter, Columbia Animal Services is requiring

pet owners in the City of Columbia and Richland County to call 803-776-7387 to discuss their needs

and find solutions before surrendering his/her pet to the shelter. If it is determined that the owner still needs to surrender their pet, an appointment will be scheduled to do so. Pets being surren-dered by their owners will not be accepted without an appointment. Even though the percentage of animals saved has increased substan-tially over the last several years, Columbia Animal Services still wants to encourage pet owners to find alternatives to surrendering their pets. Often there are missed opportunities to help owners find solutions. So please make sure you research a solution or call the Shelter for help be-fore surrendering your pet. This new policy took effect on May 1st, 2017.

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Columbia Animal Services Announce New

Safety Net program – Managed Intake

Solid Waste Awarded Carolina Recycling Association Award

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The City of Columbia Solid Waste Division was recognized by the Carolina Recycling Association for (CRA) the City’s innovative use of technology in the recycling pro-gram. CRA held their annual conference in Myrtle Beach, SC and held the awards lun-cheon on Wednesday, March 29, 2017 where Samantha Yager, solid waste assistant superintendent, accepted the award on the City’s behalf. CRA was impressed with the City’s use of mobile technology when communicating with residents, specifically college students, about collection schedules and educa-tion. The City was finding that less people wanted to pick up the phone and call - they want to receive information the way they receive everything else - via apps, the in-ternet, or instant messaging. So, the Solid Waste Division started using the free Columbia, SC Solid Waste app that helps the City of Columbia communicate with residents in all the ways they want to communicate - and on their terms. This was revolutionary to the way we interacted with students. With the app, the resource is readily available. These days, we feel like our phone

is almost an extension of ourselves. We are used to inquiring with it, constantly trying to learn more. The app now allows for that, allowing residents to receive notification about recycling and waste days, and in-teracting with easy tools to find information about products, places and services avail-able to them. CRA recognized the City of Columbia’s hard work and dedication to recycling in the Carolinas.

Teresa Wilson is the City Manager for the

City of Columbia, SC. For more details

on the City Manager, visit ColumbiaSC.

net/City-Manager. For more information

about the City of Columbia, visit

ColumbiaSC.net.

Please do not hesitate to contact

me at (803) 545-3026 or email

CityManager@columiasc.net with

your concerns, suggestions and hopes

for our City. I take pleasure in my

service to each of you!

About Te resa Wi l son:

All my best,