Florence City Council November 19
All City Council members were present except David Osborne.
Agenda Point 5 featured an audit of the city by John Chamberlin of Chamberlin Owen CPAs. The city was in compliance on all fronts according to the audit. One note: World of Golf, owned by the city, appears to be doing better financially. Overall, the accountant appeared to be happy with the results of the audit. When a copy of the PowerPoint displaying the details of the city finances is secured, it will be posted.
Agenda Point 6 addressed an apartment complex being built on Gunpowder Road. Ms. Leslie Chambers voiced concerns about infrastructure and traffic in the area. Ms. Chambers praised the city for addressing those concerns. This was a second reading and it passed 5-0.
Agenda Point 7 regarded allowing fences on corner properties so they looked even on a property and provided more backyard property space. Mr. Mel Carroll requested some clarification of the issue, which was provided by the city manager via PowerPoint. With that, due to this being a Second Reading, the issue passed 5-0.
Agenda Point 8 addressed the zoning of medical cannabis sales in the Florence area. Approximately five to six areas in the city will allow stores for the sale of medical cannabis. All locations appear to honor that such facilities must be 1,000 feet from schools in the area. The issue passed 5-0 with no real discussion, other than the council was trying to honor the voters of Florence on the issue.
Agenda Point 9 addressed the licensing and sales of medical cannabis. With no debate, the issue passed 5-0.
Agenda Point 10 allowed the city to enter into a contract to mow areas along the road in the Mount Zion/Interstate I-71/75 area. It passed 5-0.
BCRP reporter’s observations: an observation on council voting is no contention among the council members. This brings to mind the adage, “When everyone is thinking alike, no one is actually thinking.” The approach of medical cannabis having separate stores does not seem to consider that controlled substances for medical purposes have been distributed by qualified pharmacists with the safeguards the pharmacy system has had for a very long time. The focus on so many apartment buildings vs single-family houses in the Florence area is a concerning strategy.