Forest Acres City Council meeting
City Hall Nov. 14 5:15 pm

By John Dixon

Mayor Pro Tem Curtis Rye chats with representatives Lee Michael and Catherine Horne of EdVenture

Forest Acres City Council met at 5:15 on Tuesday, November 14, 2006, at City Hall. All members were present and accounted for. Mayor Frank Brunson called the meeting to order and Councilman Charlie Fetner led those assembled in the Invocation and Pledge. Minutes from the October meeting were read and approved with one correction.

Mayor's Issues

Preliminary redevelopment plan for Quinine Hill Park has been unveiled and is currently being adjusted to reflect input from council. There has been no significant action on the signage issue since the last meeting.

New Business

Council awarded $35,000 in hospitality tax funds for a critical thinking exhibit at Edventure Children's Museum.

The Forest Acres Restaurant and Merchants Association (FARMA) reported $8,800 in profits from the rhythms on the rooftop series. FARMA donated $1500 back to the city for AED training and will apply the remaining funds to a spring concert series.

Old Business

Council gave first reading approval to a proposal to change the property at 1620 Willingham from R-1 residential to commercial C-3. This proposal will receive a second reading on December 12.

City Administrators Report

City Administrator Mark Williams reported he has, as yet, received no response to the letter council recently drafted to County Councilman Mike Montgomery regarding help from the county with trash and parking issues and the unincorporated parts of the county bordering Forest Acres.

City permit forms have been amended to notify residents that yard sale signs cannot be placed on telephone poles in the city of Forest Acres.

Temporary storage PODS are allowed on property within the city limits with an appropriate construction permit or within two weeks before or after a move.

There will be no further discussion or action on the home occupations regulations until input is received from the planning commission.

Chief Bradley Anderson of the Columbia Fire Department has notified the city that Forest Acres ISO fire rating has changed from class five to class four with the recent construction of the new fire station. This change in class will result in a small decrease in homeowner fire insurance cost.

Forest Acres Police Chief Sealy indicated that the city's AED training has begun and a written plan is now in place for keeping CPR and AED training up to date

Forest Acres participated in the recent Buck-a-Cup campaign raising $2,500.72 for Easter Seals.

The Halloween Trick--or-Treat event at Forest Park shopping center was a great success.

Thanks in part to the hard work and accurate reporting to the office of highway safety by Sergeant Lori Tumlin, Forest Acres placed third in the state for traffic safety reporting and was awarded new stalker radar.

Council approved taking bids to refurbish and reopen the drop off recycling facility on Robert Springs road. City Administrator Williams is to work with Mary Pat Baldoff of "Keep the Midlands Beautiful" to investigate grant sources for the project.

Community Forum

Residents expressed concerns about a temperamental traffic light at the Corner of Forest Drive and Trenholm Road. The light is cycling erratically causing traffic problems. City Administrator Williams will work with the Department of Transportation to rectify the problem.

Residents of Sunnyside Drive just off Forest Drive are greatly concerned by the speed and volume of traffic on Sunnyside. They have additional concerns about road congestion caused by vehicles parking along both sides of the road. They also reported a recent 2 am accident caused in part by what they believe to be underage drinking at a house party in the vicinity. Neighbors allege that individuals have been observed firing BB guns from their roof into their backyard within city limits. Chief Sealy and the FAPD will investigate.

Council Items

An Arbor Day celebration is planned for Crayton Middle School or Satchel Ford Elementary School on December 1. A hardwood tree will be planted and seedlings will be given to students to take home.

In a last announcement before adjourning, Mayor Brunson invited all assembled to join council at City hall at 6 pm Friday, November 28, for the Sweet Seasons Festival. Tree Lighting is scheduled for 7 pm. The meeting was adjourned. Council will meet at City Hall December 12, 2006 at 5:15 pm.