At a November meeting, the Florence City Council approved annexation and zoning measures for parcels in the Smithfield subdivision and on South Irby Street, adopted recognition resolutions for local leaders and artists, and amended a resolution to provide $65,000 in emergency aid to local food banks in response to the federal government shutdown.

The council unanimously approved Resolution 2025-41 recognizing sculptor Alex Palkovich for his public works in Florence Veterans Park and downtown. Palkovich, accepting the recognition, told the council, “Florence, you are brilliant,” and thanked the community for more than two decades of support (see SEG 202–241, SEG 272–286).

Council approved Resolution 2025-46 honoring Pastor Bill Monroe for 56 years of ministry and for founding Florence Baptist Temple and Florence Christian School; the resolution noted Monroe’s long service and community ministries (see SEG 305–347, SEG 350–386). Pastor Monroe thanked the council and the congregation he serves.

The council also adopted Resolution 2025-42 congratulating the Wilson High School Marching Tiger Pride Band on winning the 2025 SCBDA 3A/4A traditional high-step state championship; band director Jared Deese and a band representative thanked the council and community for support.

On zoning matters, the council completed second reading and approval of Ordinance 2025-40 to annex and zone parcels associated with the third phase of the Smithfield Subdivision (tax map numbers cited on the record) to RG-3. The council introduced and approved first reading of Ordinance 2025-42 to annex and zone a South Irby Street parcel to NC-6.3; planning staff reported the Planning Commission recommended a townhome complex contingent on annexation and said the developer must provide a private lift station and easement for sewer service.

Council considered Resolution 2025-44, authorizing the city manager to appropriate funds to local food banks in response to the federal shutdown and SNAP interruptions. A councilmember moved to amend the total from $60,000 to $65,000 and to allocate $15,000 each to Florence Manor House, Harvest Hope Food Bank, Senior Citizen Association, and My Brother’s Keeper, leaving $5,000 to the city manager’s discretion. The motion also authorized the city manager to suspend or reallocate the funds if the federal shutdown ended; council voted to approve the resolution as amended. The amendment language on the record included: “increase the total amount from 60,000 to 65,000 and to allocate 15,000 to the following 4 local organizations…The remaining 5,000 shall be left to the discretion of the city manager”.

Parks staff announced an Arbor Day event on Dec. 5 at Isla Jones Park Community Center (608 East Maxwell Street) at 10:00 a.m., tied to Resolution 2025-43.

The council also announced that Resolution 2025-45 (a downtown redevelopment grant for the second quarter of FY26) and several personnel/contractual items would be taken up in executive session; the public meeting recessed and council entered executive session.

Next steps: items referred to executive session (downtown redevelopment grant and appointments) will be handled in closed session; staff will draft and return proposed ordinance amendments where council requested additional review (notably towing-ordinance language and the details of annexation implementation).