City Quick Connect Podcast From The Municipal Association Of South Carolina

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law opened many federal funding opportunities to cities and towns. Municipal Association Legislative and Public Policy Advocate Erica Wright talks with Lake City Grants Writer Lisa Jones about Jones’ experiences working with the National League of Cities’ Local Infrastructure Hub to support her grant writing efforts, and the funding Lake City has received as a result. Learn more: https://localinfrastructure.org/

Sewer backups can be a costly and challenging issue for public works staff to address. John Ciesielski and Kayde Niemira of the Municipal Association of South Carolina’s Risk Management Services discuss prevention and maintenance efforts, as well as how to handle liability for backups.

Councils who establish public comment sessions must plan and conduct them carefully, potentially setting rules on the time allowed or the conduct of those who speak. Municipal Association Field Services Managers Charlie Barrineau and Naomi Reed discuss how to keep public comment sessions productive and orderly.

The City of Greenville received a 2024 Achievement Award from the Municipal Association for its development of the extensive 60-acre Unity Park at a location once characterized by segregated park facilities and neglect. Mayor Knox White discusses the history of neighborhood advocacy dating to the 1930s that led to the park’s development, the community input on its facilities, and its innovative stormwater drainage improvements along the Reedy River. See the award video at www.masc.sc/achievement-award/2024/public-service-city-greenville.

In 2023, the Municipal Association of SC, along with Main Street SC, its downtown revitalization technical assistance program, created WeShopSC, a statewide e-commerce marketplace. Jenny Boulware and Jonathan Irick of Main Street SC discuss how the service has worked since then with Kate Giovambattista and Dannah Dawood of Beyond Main, which partnered to develop the platform. They also talk to two of the business owners now using it: Sheena McLaughlin, owner of Gaffney Massage & Holistic Therapies in Gaffney; and Heather Moore, owner of The Makers Market in Inman.

The Town of Mount Pleasant received a 2024 Achievement Award from the Municipal Association for the police department’s work, in partnership with the nonprofit WakeUp Carolina, to help reduce opioid overdoses and help those who have been affected by them. Capt. Christopher Rosier of the Mount Pleasant Police Department discusses how the initiative has operated and the effect it has had in the community. See the award video at https://www.masc.sc/achievement-award/2024/public-safety-town-mount-pleasant.

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