Several residents used the council’s public-comment time to press for brighter downtown lighting, to request increased city support for veterans’ wreath programs and to seek clarification about potential rezoning and the city’s equity framework.

“Safety and security is good for business,” said Cameron Farish, a downtown business owner, asking the council to consider keeping decorative tree lights or otherwise improving lighting on North Clemson Avenue and the downtown corridor to improve perception of safety after dark (transcript: Cameron Farish). Farish said some older streetlights installed to reduce light pollution are leaving downtown noticeably dark and urged the council to consider lighting changes as streetscape work proceeds.

Two speakers representing local wreath programs asked the city for increased support for their annual veterans’ ceremonies. Ann Warmoth of Research Across America told the council the program saw an increase of 46 veterans served over 2023 and asked the council to raise the city’s annual contribution from the prior amount to $850, which she said would increase the city-funded wreaths to 25 for Clemson (transcript: Ann Warmoth). Melanie Jones, speaking about Old Stone Church Cemetery and New Hope Baptist Cemetery ceremonies, said the group seeks $340 from the city to support an additional cemetery ceremony this year (transcript: Melanie Jones).

Residents also sought information. Stephanie Platt asked whether the city planned to rezone both sides of Mountain View Lane to multifamily; the mayor replied that staff would provide information and that council would include an update on the next meeting agenda (transcript: Stephanie Platt). Robert Lee asked the council to refer the city’s equity framework and related policies to the planning commission for review and to clarify how those items interact with ordinances and the city code (transcript: Robert Lee). Councilmembers asked staff to provide requested zoning and paving schedules and said online public comment remains available until 2 p.m. on meeting days.

Why it matters: lighting and perceived safety affect downtown commerce and pedestrian activity, while wreath-program funding is a recurring small-budget request tied to veterans’ ceremonies. The rezoning question and the equity-framework referral indicate some residents want clearer process and public information before land-use decisions proceed.

The council did not take action during public comment but directed staff to provide the requested materials at an upcoming meeting and left the requests on the public record.