City Quick Connect Podcast From The Municipal Association Of South Carolina

The City of Fountain Inn received a 2024 Achievement Award from the Municipal Association for its work to revitalize Sanctified Hill Park in the city’s historically Black community, reversing a history of neglect. Mayor GP McLeer discusses the careful community engagement, including with Golden View Baptist Church, an earlier leader for restoring the park, that led to its reimaging, as well as how it was funded. See the award video at https://www.masc.sc/achievement-award/2024/population-10001-20000-city-fountain-inn.

Business licensing officials in South Carolina have access to a large number of resources for administering their licenses in compliance with state law, from required update schedules to sample documents to training from the SC Business Licensing Officials Association. Municipal Association Manager for Local Revenue Services Caitlin Cothran and Staff Associate for Affiliate Services Elizabeth Copeland discuss. Learn more: https://www.masc.sc/business-licensing-south-carolina

Incident investigations are a risk management tool for cases of injury or loss. Cities can use them to determine why the incident happened and what can help prevent it from happening again. Bethany Pendley and Kayde Niemira of the Municipal Association of SC Risk Management Services discuss how to conduct incident investigations, and what cities can gain from them.

The Town of Six Mile won a 2024 Achievement Award from the Municipal Association for successfully turning a land bequest into a preserved piece of green space adjoining Six Mile Elementary School. Mayor James Atkinson explains the process of getting the land into a conversation easement, as well as how the park will be used. See the award video at www.masc.sc/achievement-award/2024/population-1-1000-town-six-mile.

The City of Goose Creek won a 2024 Achievement Award in the Communications category for its marketing of the Adopt a Goose program, a citywide installation of goose sculptures, each with its own design. Goose Creek's Marketing Manager Adam Kelly and Art Director Barb Richardson discuss how the project has helped build community identity and engagement, the widespread attention the geese have received and where the project goes from here. See the award video at www.masc.sc/achievement-award/2024/communications-city-goose-creek.

The City of Hardeeville won a 2024 Achievement Award for its development of the Hardeeville Commerce Park located on Interstate 95. City Manager Michael Czymbor discusses land acquisition, infrastructure preparation, and what the development means for Hardeeville’s economy and future. See the award video at https://www.masc.sc/achievement-award/2024/population-5001-10000-city-hardeeville

The City of Abbeville won a 2024 Achievement Award from the Municipal Association for its ongoing capital improvement plan, replacing and upgrading everything from water to sewer, stormwater and electrical lines. City Manager Blake Stone discusses how the efforts have been planned and funded, as well as their impact on economic development and quality of life for Abbeville. See the award video at https://www.masc.sc/achievement-award/2024/population-1001-5000-city-abbeville

The City of Florence won the 2024 Joseph P. Riley Jr. Economic Development Achievement Award for its sports tourism development involving an expanding slate of athletic facilities. City Manager Scotty Davis and Athletic Director Tim Wilson discuss how the city has built and maintained these facilities, the economic impact of visiting athletes, and what’s next for sports in Florence. See the award video at https://www.masc.sc/achievement-award/2024/economic-development-city-florence

Main Street Inman won the Main Street South Carolina 2024 Excellence on Main Street Award for the Mayor’s Youth Council, a program focused on civic education and community pride. Its members attend council meetings, volunteer at events and participate in cleanup days. Inman Mayor Cornelius Huff and City Administrator Joe Lanahan discuss the program’s development, its impact on students and its impact on downtown Inman. See the award video at https://vimeo.com/988521595.

Casey Fields, Joannie Nickel and Erica Wright discuss the Advocacy Initiatives Building Day that will happen in Columbia on September 25, where city and town officials are invited to share their ideas and concerns for the 2025 legislative session at the State House. More information: https://www.masc.sc/event/advocacy-initiatives-building-day

Garbage trucks face numerous potential fire hazards that can endanger people and become incredibly costly as well. Municipal Association Loss Control Manager Bethany Pendley talks about how cities can handle this hazard, including preventive maintenance, cleaning, and training for what to do when a sanitation truck fire occurs. Learn more: https://www.masc.sc/uptown/07-2023/dont-let-trash-trucks-become-burn-barrels

Municipal Association of SC Field Services Managers Charlie Barrineau and Naomi Reed discuss the issues involved in managing agendas for public meetings. The cover setting the agenda, properly distributing agendas, circumstances for adding agenda items and executive sessions. Learn more: https://www.masc.sc/uptown/12-2023/who-can-set-or-change-agenda

Chief Operating Officer Jake Broom talks with Charles Parker, project director from The Retail Coach, a consulting firm the Municipal Association has partnered with for retail recruitment training. They discuss retail development trends, ways cities can market themselves and address policy considerations for retail, as well as success stories around South Carolina and the nation. Read Parker’s recent article in Uptown: https://www.masc.sc/uptown/07-2024/role-city-leadership-retail-recruitment

Municipal Association Executive Director Todd Glover and Chief Operating Officer Jake Broom talk about the Association’s Small Cities Summit, a one-day session taking place in Columbia on August 22 and addressing the specific needs and challenges of smaller cities and towns. This year’s summit will feature an “Agency Hall” where attendees can meet representatives from a variety of state agencies. Learn more: https://www.masc.sc/event/small-cities-summit

At the Municipal Association’s 2024 Annual Meeting, Executive Director Todd Glover and Legislative and Public Policy Advocate Joannie Nickel give an update on the 2023-24 legislative session. They discuss primary elections, the 2024 state budget, bills that passed and did not pass, and issues that could arise in the 2025 session.

Association Executive Director Todd Glover talks about the value of visionary leadership, the need to build up future generations of municipal leaders, as well as the successes and the ongoing need for the Association’s civility in local government initiative.

Outgoing Municipal Association President Barbara Jo Blain, mayor of the City of Conway, discusses the legislative advocacy successes of the past year, the ongoing need for hate crimes ordinances, and the need to replace conflict with collaboration at the local level.

Goose Creek Mayor Greg Habib, newly elected president of the Municipal Association of SC, talks about local government leadership, transformational projects in Goose Creek, the need for civility in the public sphere, and the need to develop and nurture managerial talent in municipal government.

As mayor of the host city of Greenville, Mayor Knox White welcomes attendees to the Annual Meeting. White and Anderson Mayor Terence Roberts discuss municipal leadership and projects in their cities.

Municipal Association General Counsel Eric Shytle gives an overview of public meeting executive session issues, including the purpose of executive session under the SC Freedom of Information Act, how to properly enter into and conduct an executive session, and the consequences of misusing executive session.