Forest Acres City Council meets Jan. 8, 2008
By John Dixon
Roll call

Forest Acres City Administrator Mark Williams was recently appointed to the Tourism Expenditure Review Committee.

Forest Acres City Council met January 8, 2008, at 5:15 pm. Councilman Charles Fetner led those assembled in invocation and pledge. Minutes from the previous meeting were read and approved with no further discussion. Those present included Attorney Holloway, Councilwoman Ginger Dukes, Mayor Pro Tempore Curtis Rye, Mayor Brunson, Councilman Fetner, Councilman Shell Suber, and City Manager Mark Williams.

Mayor's issues

• City Signs have been placed at the South Trenholm and East Beltline gateways to the city. The Forest Drive gateway sign is not up because the city has had difficulty obtaining the necessary encroachment permit from the Department of Transportation.

• The architect is still reworking the plans to incorporate a recycled rubber walk path and to scale back the original plans in keeping with council recommendations. The City Administrator expected the plans to be ready for review by Council next month.

City Arborist Sean Greenwood presents an award from The City of Columbia Tree and Appearance Commission to Nori and Edwin Cooper.Virginia Dunlap represented her grandfather Edwin at the ceremony.

New Business

• The independent auditor reports the city fiscally sound, and the audit revealed no concerns. He expects their last capital expenditure should be paid off by 2011. Council congratulated Mark Williams and Bob Massa on their foresight and skillful management of the taxpayer's resources.

• The Mayor congratulated Mark Williams for being appointed to the Governor's Tourism Expenditure Review Committee, which serves as a watchdog group overseeing use of state accommodation tax funds.

• Nor i and Edwin Cooper received recognition for "Treasured Trees," a cluster of live oaks at 104 Country Club Drive. They were presented an award in recognition of their efforts in preserving and nurturing this spectacular copse of trees from the The City of Columbia Tree and Appearance Commission. Mrs. Cooper and her granddaughter, Virginia Dunlap were present to accept the award from City Arborist, Shaun Greenwood.

Old business

• Council agreed to expend $3,500 for online tourism promotion through an Access Leisure Online Calendar of Events. The City will re- evaluate the value of this venture after one year. City administrator's report

• City Administrator Williams requested Council carefully review the new employee handbook to take action next month.

• The Department of transportation informed the City Administrator the turn lanes into City Hall are to be striped off January 18.

Community forum

• Mike McIntosh asked council to investigate an offer by the Columbia Athletic Club to provide discounted membership to officers of the Forest Acres Police Department. Council agreed to consider the matter.

Council items

• Councilwoman Ginger Dukes reported seeing Jordan Anderson on television the evening of January 7 and noted that Jordan conducted himself with extreme professionalism throughout the interview.

Council was adjourned for an executive session. Forest Acres City Council will meet February 12, 2008, at 5:15 pm.