City of Laurens August Council Meeting: Youth Council Openings, Fall Events, and Key Votes

Tuesday, August 19, 2025. The City of Laurens Council covered a full slate of community announcements and city business at its August meeting, highlighting youth engagement opportunities, upcoming fall events, and several actions aimed at safety, growth, and service improvements.

Announcements & Community Events

• Mayor’s Youth Council: Mayor Nathan Senn announced three open seats on the Mayor’s Youth Council. Notices and applications have been sent to area schools to encourage student participation.

• Rivalry Week Tradition: Laurens will deliver the game ball for the Laurens vs. Clinton football game on Thursday, August 28.

• Homecoming Parade: Scheduled for Monday, September 8 at 6:00 p.m. The route will start at Laurens & Caroline Street, continue through the Square, and return down West Main.

• Bridging the Gap Walk: Set for Saturday, October 4.

• Squealin’ on the Square: The signature barbecue festival returns October 17–18.

• Ribbon Cuttings:

  • Gibson Grove (first planned subdivision built in the City of Laurens in 40 years): Thursday, August 21 at 12:00 p.m.

  • Eggs Up Grill (former Taste of Home site): Thursday, August 28 at 9:00 a.m.

Mayor Senn also encouraged residents to use the city’s online fillable forms to report issues rather than posting on social media, noting that the forms route concerns to the right staff for faster resolution.

Comprehensive Plan Timeline

Mayor Senn emphasized the need to complete the city’s comprehensive plan by year-end, with a first reading in October and second reading in November. “The public will have an opportunity to look at it during public comment meetings, and the planning commission will also have time to see it as well,” he said.

Commission of Public Works Update

It was announced that Parker Moore has resigned as chairman of the Laurens Commission of Public Works (CPW); City Council will move to fill the seat, with a candidate to be announced soon.

CPW General Manager John Young reported strong customer sentiment and competitive rates:

• Customer satisfaction: 93% of respondents reported being very satisfied.

• Rates: Electric rates are about 15% below the state average; natural gas rates are approximately 34% below the state average.

Council Actions

Council took several unanimous votes:

• Pinehaven Townes (Final Approval): Granted final approval for the Pinehaven Townes neighborhood (48 homes) on Tax Map #906-07-01-044.

• Truck Route Safety & Clarity: Authorized a request to SCDOT for clearer signs, road markings, and traffic controls to keep trucks on designated routes, and to update digital maps so drivers see the correct truck routes.

• Pedestrian Safety Zones: Voted to request the South Carolina General Assembly grant local governments and SCDOT authority to create pedestrian safety zones with enhanced penalties for violations within those areas.

• MASC Big Idea Grant (Matching Funds): Approved providing the matching funds needed for the city to apply for a Municipal Association of South Carolina (MASC) “Big Idea Grant.”

About the MASC “Big Idea Grant”

The Big Idea Grant is designed to fund bold, creative, and forward-thinking municipal projects—such as technology-driven service upgrades, innovative public-space uses, and community-wide initiatives with long-term impact. Judging places heavy weight on creativity, community impact, and project readiness. For 2025, MASC may award up to two Big Idea Grants (and up to eight Problem Solver Grants). The application deadline is September 26, 2025.