Title
Notice/Advertisement Title: Public Utilities and Sustainability Committee Hearing
Contact Name: Chelsea Golterman
Contact Telephone Number: 614-735-0965
Contact Email Address: CLGolterman@columbus.gov
Body
Public Utilities and Sustainability Committee Hearing
Date: June 26, 2024
Time: 3:30 PM
Location: Columbus City Hall, Council Chambers, 90 W. Broad St., Columbus, OH 43215
Subject: Proposed coffee cup reuse pilot program and a Columbus Lead Service Line Replacement Program
Councilmembers Present: Councilmember Christopher L. Wyche, Councilmember Emmanuel V. Remy
Summary of Minutes:
CALL TO ORDER/INTRODUCTION
Call to Order: 3:35PM
Present: Councilmember Christopher L. Wyche, Councilmember Emmanuel V. Remy, Chelsea Golterman, Emiliana Morales, Cailyn Pittman, A’mya Eaton, Department of Public Utilities Division of Water Assistant Director Janean Weber, Department of Public Utilities Division of Water Regulatory Compliance Manager Emilie Eskridge, Douglas Calem, Annalisa Rocca, Dan Barash, Mark Carter
Introduction:
[Chair Wyche] Thank you for coming to discuss these critical issues
[Vice-Chair Remy] Thank you to Chair Wyche for leading this committee. Thank you to Biden Administration for the historic investment.
[Chair Wyche] Overview of the agenda. Announced Southside Community Discussion with Councilmember Barroso de Padilla.
[Vice-Chair Remy] Thank you for coming
PRESENTATION: Proposed Code change to create a lead service line removal program (Ord. 1627-2024)
[Chair Wyche] Overview of Lead Lines
[Ms. Weber] Engagement season for Sustainable Columbus is in full swing. The regional plan will be hosting events. Blue Print Outreach Team in Linden and Hilltop. Lead service outreach team through out the community in partnership with Development
[Ms. Eskridge] The rules for lead and copper rules will be finalized this year. This will require for an inventory of all Lead service lines and Galvanized steal lines for replacement. The tentative requirement for 100% replacement is 10 years. This program will allow for a target date of 2040 for replacement. Ordinance declares a nuisance and accesses public property with owner permissions for replacement. This also prohibits repair of both led and galvanized. Currently the city treats our drinking water to prevent corrosion that may cause lead to leach in to the water. This is the best way to eliminate any potential exposure. Goal for the program: to prevent potential lead exposure to customers. This goes hand in hand with CPH (Healthy Children Safe Homes), DPU, and DOD (Lead Safe Columbus) lead exposure programs. Replacing from the main to the meter. This includes both the main line and the service line. This will be 4 different ways: 1. Infrastructure maintenance, since 1996 - currently DPU does replace if found. 2. Emergency Repair, replaces if found. 3. Street by Street: Prioritization: 1: Service line material, 2: Black/African American Population 3: Median Household Income, 4: Children under 10. 5: Blood Lead Level Indicator This will be a focus on redlined neighborhoods This will involve community input for prioritization: including third-party stakeholder groups. Currently working on building the inventory and engaging the community. And 4. Schools and Daycares - this is a revitalized program, specifically will be targeting daycares. Pilot Program: Lead Safe Columbus Program: With Dept. of Development. About 100 participants. initial resident outreach in summer 2024. completed by 2025. Part of this will be from the main to the meter. The property will be restored after the work is completed. Any questions?
[Chair Wyche] Thank you for your presentation. Can you talk a little more about the restoration piece about the program?
[Ms. Eskridge] In our current projects we do restore such as sidewalks. With grass, trees, we make every effort to restore and it does take some time due to seasons.
[Chair Wyche] In regards to communication to the residents, is it up front with timeline?
[Ms. Eskridge] Our goal is up front communication. With the PR Firm for this project, we plan to have additional for homeowners
[Chair Wyche] Regards to the pilot program, has there been any feedback? and issues?
[Ms. Eskridge] Most that are currently engaged, did not know. ones that have re
[Vice-Chair Remy] Age of homes that might have lead or galvanized pipes?
[Ms. Eskridge] 1963 no longer use lead in homes. I would say homes built before 1950s likely have lead. so typically homes 70 years or older.
[Vice-Chair Remy] Do we have records on every service lines in Columbus?
[Ms. Eskridge] We are asking people to check right now to make the inventory. Private side we need the help locating. On the public side we know.
[Vice-Chair Remy] will this be an interactive map?
[Ms. Eskridge] yes
[Vice-Chair Remy] Define: Emergency repair?
[Ms. Eskridge] currently Emergency Repair is on the public side.
[Vice-Chair Remy] it is important for service line insurance
[Ms. Eskridge]: we are working on a warranty program currently
[Vice-Chair Remy] Can we dig in more about Galvanized Service Lines:
[Ms. Eskridge] Galvanized when they are down stream from the lead can leach, and are contaminated at this point. Therefore we will be replacing them. This is a federal guideline.
[Vice-Chair Remy]: what will the lines be replaced with?
[Ms. Eskridge] Currently on our side it is replaced with copper and are likely will use copper
[Vice-Chair Remy]: any other materials?
[Ms. Eskridge] : Plastic can also be used but we typically do copper.
[Vice-Chair Remy]: What will the program actually look like? Like Blue Print?
[Ms. Eskridge] Yes similar to Blue Print, we will tackle street by street, area by area. We plan to prioritize neighborhoods, we will have a map and will have on the ground outreach.
[Chair Wyche]When an emergency repair does happen, are we inventorying those calls right now?
[Ms. Eskridge] we are using all the work orders and requests to help create the city wide inventory.
[Chair Wyche] we did receive a written testimony from Columbus Public Health. Summary was read.
Public Comments:
[Chair Wyche] Next we would like to invite Ms. Rocca from the Ohio Environmental Council to testify.
[Ms. Rocca,] Thank you for the opportunity to testify today. Drinking Water Manager at OEC Action Fund. There is no safe lead level in the human body. Columbus is ranked 15th in the nation on the most service lines. Federal rules will be coming down and this ordinance will bring the city inline with the federal rules that will be coming. Only issue with the Federal rules is the loop hole to access private property. This ordinance closes this loop hole. Lastly recommend to remove the consequence if a resident fails to allow access DPU will cut water to the building, would suggest another consequence.
[Chair Wyche] Thank you for coming. #GetTheLeadOut. Is the department open to revising language when notification for the replacement?
[Ms. Eskridge] we have found it works currently. This is just a escalated step if needed.
[Vice-Chair Remy]: We are not shutting peoples water off because of this, can we revise.
[Ms. Eskridge] This is a tool in the tool box. it encourages response. it is a better way to engage with the customer. is the last resort.
[Ms. Weber]: WE have a very robust outreach similar to blue print. we will be going door to door.
[Chair Wyche] Thank you for the presentation. Next the Coffee Cup Reuse Pilot Program
PRESENTATIONS: Proposed Southside Coffee Cup Reuse Pilot Program (Ord. 1815-2024)
[Mr. Calem] Founder and co-chair of the Central Ohio Reuse Coalition. Thank you and appreciate your leadership. Summary of the coalition.
[Mr. Barash] This pilot program will be reuse and borrowing reusable coffee shops similar to borrowing a book at a library. Currently there are 3 potential vendors that do this type of program. The perspective of the customer: they will see signage and the cups. Once customer is enrolled in the program for a small cost, customer will get the reusable. The customer then will return. The coffee shop will then clean the cup. From the coffee shop perspective: the coffee shop will be trained and get materials. They will buy the cups from the vendor. There obligations will be to receive the cups and to clean the cups. We are asking for 6k. This will be enough for about 5-6 coffee shops to enrolled in the program. The money will reduce the barriers to access the program. We hope this will be able to become city wide as folks learn and participate.The ultimate goal is to go to larger venues, not just coffee shops, like OSU Games or at a concert. This is happening at the Portland Trail Blazers arena currently. The coffee shops will be a foundation and to help make Columbus a sustainable leader.
[Chair Wyche] Thank you
[Vice-Chair Remy] this is a great program! There are a few people doing this at smaller events. The cost is not significantly larger then disposable. This is an opportunity to help impact
[Chair Wyche]I am very excited. We need to focus on changing on our behavior. We must address climate change as a city. THis program will help accomplish this goal by helping people reduce their waste:
[Mr. Calem] This is a start and a step for change. There is price and there is long term cost.
[Chair Wyche] Ability to gather data and thoughts form customer.
[Mr. Dan Barash] every usable coffee shop will have a QR code to gather data on usage. Also will be conducting surveys on customers and coffee shops
[Chair Wyche] is there other cities that are doing similar reusable programs?
[Mr. Calem] there are many other cities that have reuse programs, but no other cities are doing a city lead program. Most programs are lead on the private side or through a reuse coaliton.
[Chair Wyche] Thank you again and I am looking forward to this program. We are excited on this approach for increasing reuse
PUBLIC COMMENTS
[Chair Wyche] Seeing none.
CLOSING REMARKS
[Chair Wyche] We look forward to our 3rd quarter committee hearing. Please follow social media!
Adjourned: 4:32