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Resident lists neighborhood requests on trash, rec programs, transportation and affordable housing
Summary
Fanika George raised multiple community concerns during public comment, asking the city for changes to trash services, recreation facilities, youth transportation, municipal funding, and local services for children with developmental needs.
Fanika George used her public-comment time to present a multi-point list of neighborhood concerns and suggestions, asking the council to address trash service, recreation space, youth transportation, community policing team composition, municipal funding options, and access to developmental and food-support programs.
George said crews took four trash cans from her property and returned only one; she said the cans were ones she had purchased and asked whether the city could either increase trash-collection frequency or allow controlled burning with neighbor consent. She said municipal staff (she referenced speaking to "Scotty") discussed options with her.
She asked the council to consider expanding indoor recreation facilities or converting existing parking into space for sports at the Port Pearl Moore gym and to provide transportation for youth to attend practices and games for city leagues, noting that many families lack the means to get children to activities.
George requested a review of the Community Action Team (CAT) composition, saying the current team leader is not from the area and asking that officers familiar to the neighborhood be assigned; she said two officers she favored were "no longer there." She also urged the city to pursue a municipal penny tax to increase local revenues and to partner with a food-share program (she cited a model where boxes are sold for $25 but discounted for EBT users) to expand food access locally.
On health services, George asked the council to work with regional providers including McLeod, MUSC, and Prisma Health to bring developmental clinics or outreach to Florence for children with autism and other developmental delays; she named Dr. Caroline Hilde Bautisto (as spelled in the transcript) as a specialist with outreach clinics in other communities.
George said the city needs "true affordable housing" priced for people earning under $20 an hour, criticized new housing priced too high for lower-wage workers, and urged continued work in the Brunson Street area where developers have plans for four homes. She asked that the "Camp Fever" program keep its name and start at earlier ages, and recommended term limits and community votes for city-league sports board members who she said remain on the board indefinitely.
Why it matters: The list covers basic services and programs that affect neighborhoods' daily life — solid waste service, youth recreation and transportation, policing relationships, affordable housing availability, and access to food and developmental health services.
What the record shows: George presented ten numbered items during her five-minute public-comment time. She said she had spoken with city staff about some items previously and asked for city follow-up on others. The council acknowledged her comments; no formal motions or immediate council votes were recorded on the items at the meeting.
