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Residents and pastors urge action on homelessness; city says roundabout plans are not imminent
Summary
Public commenters described placements into jobs and assisted living, requested supplies and a plan for increased housing demand during the Masters, and sought clarification about a rumored roundabout project; city staff said plans have been discussed historically but are not imminent due to funding constraints.
During the meeting's public-comment period, several residents and faith leaders asked council to help coordinate shelter, housing and supportive services as Aiken prepares for major events.
Kurt Johnson, pastor and director with Law Sheet Ministries, reported that his group has recently helped several people get jobs or into assisted living, and he asked residents to contact his organization before calling 911 to allow volunteers to attempt de-escalation and outreach. "We're coming up on the Masters ... we're expecting that the issue of unsheltered residents will be exacerbated a little bit," Lex Ferry, pastor of C4 Impact, told council while asking for donations (tents, sleeping bags, underwear) and offering to partner with developers who have unused property.
Kurt Johnson described concrete placements: two people moved to Nebraska for work, two were placed into assisted living in Augusta, and the ministry secured IDs that enabled a job for a young woman.
Earlier in public comment, Jacob Ellis asked whether a roundabout and connector road near Dowardy Road and the mall were planned to become a city responsibility. City staff said plans for a parallel road and a possible roundabout had been discussed in past councils but emphasized that no construction is imminent and that lack of funding and unsuccessful grant applications have delayed any project.
Council members and staff thanked the volunteer groups for their work and noted staff would follow up on requests for information and any potential city actions.
