Forest Acres City Council Meeting September 12, 2006 + 5:30 pm
By John Dixon

Mayor Frank Brunson called the Forest Acres City Council to order at 5:25 pm on September 12, after a short public hearing on proposed amendment of the zoning code of ordinances related to cluster housing. All members of council were present. After invocation and pledge led by Councilman Charlie Fetner, the minutes of the August meeting were read and approved.

Mayors Issues

Since there has been no new progress on the Midtown at Forest Acres project, the mayor asked the item be moved to the issues monitored by the city administrator and that parks improvement and signage which are ready to move forward take its place on the mayor's agenda.

New Business

Luther Stafford , who is stepping down from the Planning Commission after more than 20 years service, was unable to come to the meeting to receive special recognition this month because he is home recovering form hip replacement surgery. Council agreed to wait until Stafford could be present to give recognition.

$30,500 was approved for the Forest Acres Classic to be held at A.C. Flora April 10-14. Due to Richland School District One's prohibition against games on district property on Sundays, this year's schedule has been adjusted. North Augusta will return to defend last year's championship.

Dave Yensan and Sid Thomas were unanimously reappointed to the planning commission for two-year terms.

Council approved the purchase of additional holiday decorations for gateway roads in Forest Acres using Hospitality Tax funds.

Two modifications of zoning ordinances related to deletion of Cluster Housing provisions received first reading approval.

Old Business

One modification of the zoning ordinances related to deletion of Cluster Housing provisions received second reading approval.

Council unanimously approved an additional $7,000 for Rooftop Rhythms to cover advertising and promotion costs.

City Administrator Mark Williams asked for and received approval for use of SCB&T forms for lease-purchase arrangements for equipment purchase.

City Administrator's Report

Williams reported on preliminary cost estimates for converting the city's fleet of petro-diesel vehicles to bio-deisel. More information is desired by council.

The city has received a grant from the American Automobile Dealers Association to defray the cost of AED training.

Williams will contact the City of Columbia about replacing the 2" water main that feeds houses on Florawood. These houses have experienced problems with water pressure which need to be rectified.

The second line garbage truck required engine replacement this month.

Insurance Services Office (ISO) Building Inspection ratings have gone down from four to seven because the state did not adopt appropriate earthquake standards.

Water fountains at Idalia and Citadel Parks need replacing. Williams is to get recommendations from the park engineer for appropriate replacements.

The city's financial audit is complete, and a report will be forthcoming.

Community Forum

Residents in the Brenthaven Road area have concerns about construction waste in trash piles causing flat tires. As the property in question is in an unincorporated portion of Richland County, Council agreed to express their concerns to the appropriate representative.

Other residents have requested Council consider a "pooper scooper" ordinance to encourage residents to properly handle animal waste deposited in public areas and other resident's lawns. Discussion followed, but no action was taken at this time.

Meeting adjourned. Council meets again in October.