Florence City Council January 7

All City Council members were present with the exception of Councilman David Osborne.

The meeting was primarily focused on traffic light systems ranging from Ewing down US Highway 42 and business within the City of Florence. Please note the agenda points listed below:

Agenda Point One: Traffic light systems covering from Ewing and US Highway 42 and Mount Zion and US Highway 42. This system has been an ongoing project since 2020. Funding for the project has been in process since 2022. The cost of the project is approximately $4 million and will cost the City of Florence approximately $200,000 as its share.

The lights will feature sensors that automatically judge the need for light timing down the length of the area covered. This integrated system will help with traffic timing and hopefully make driving across the area more seamless. Emergency vehicles will have communication systems that communicate their approach to the lights so they will change in favor of emergency vehicles approaching, stopping traffic that may impede enroute emergency vehicles.

Agenda Point Two: Old and new business in the City of Florence. Some of the points covered were Parkview Senior Apartments and The Glens at Gunpowder Circle.

Commercial projects: (1) Drury Plaza Hotel; (2) Carmax; (3) Recycle Reverse Logistics is taking over the old Jabil Building; and (4) LivSmart Studios by Hilton.

Upgrades to the area: Kerry Nissan and Best Western are upgrading their facilities.

Closed businesses in the area include Frisch’s; Big Lots; and Party City. None of the businesses had Florence-related issues; the issues are more national or regional than local at this point.

Mayor Aubuchon asked if there were any last points of business anyone wished to cover. Several council members were pleased with the performance of the city work crews during the recent winter storm. The mayor mentioned that people are supposed to clear the streets of their vehicles so work crews can plow the streets. Councilwoman Cable asked if there is any repercussion for not moving vehicles. Director Hall said the city would normally be involved only if a city vehicle could not get through due to a parked vehicle. In that case, if necessary, the problem vehicle would be towed. Otherwise there appears to be no enforcement of Snow Emergency Ordinances.