Forest Acres City Council meets March 11, 2008
By John Dixon
Public hearing

The March 11, 2008 Forest Acres City Council Meeting was preceded by a lengthy public hearing to discuss rezoning a 6.9 acre parcel at 4128 Forest Drive from public to semi- public use. The council chamber was packed to overflowing and at least 20 people spilled out into the hallway.

John Burris, Robert Fuller, and company explained the planned development which is to be anchored by a Gold's Gym, a dine- in restaurant, and a small bank or financial institution. Plans are to remodel existing structures using quality construction with exteriors of masonry, stucco, and glass. Additional lighting and landscaping will improve the site.

The developer promises 50 paved and lighted student parking places for AC Flora High School. Burris commissioned a traffic study which indicates the project will have negligible effect on the traffic patterns of the area.

Neighbors, while generally supportive of the plan, expressed concerns about traffic patterns, safety of school children, and ecological impact of the development. Numerous citizens spoke for and against the planned development. After questions and rebuttals, discussion ended for the night.

Roll call

Council was called to order by Mayor Pro Tempore Curtis Rye. Present were Councilwoman Ginger Dukes, Mayor Pro Tempore Curtis Rye, Councilman Charles Fetner, City Attorney Lee Holloway and City Manger Mark Williams. Mayor Brunson was away at a professional conference and Councilman Shell Suber was absent due to the passing of his wife, Linda.

Minutes of the February meeting were read and unanimously approved. Approval for the minutes of the special March 4 meeting on Quinine Park were deferred until next month.

Mayor's issues

• City Signs: Illumination of signs is still under study. Williams is in discussions with the Department of Transportation regarding placement of a final gateway sign which is currently in the right of way.

• Quinine Hill: All design issues have been addressed and as soon as design amendments are finished, the plans will go out for bid.

New business

• Council unanimously approved FARMA's $46,601 request for funding of a Rooftop Rhythms event scheduled April 12, 2008 on the roof of Midtown at Forest Acres.

• Council unanimously approved $25,000 in sponsorship of Jordan Anderson Racing as a means to promote tourism in Forest Acres.

• Grimbal - Cotterill - Quinine Hill Park Project: Council unanimously approved $19,000 in additional funding.

• Muscular Dystrophy Association and Columbia- Richland Fire Service requested permission to use major Forest Acres intersections for a "Fill- A- Boot" Drive. Council unanimously approved this request.

Old business

• Council gave unanimous second reading approval for the annexation of properties at 4521 Fernwood Drive, 6556 Brookside Circle, and 6544 Brookside Circle into the City of Forest Acres.

City administrator's report

• Review and approval of the Employee Handbook was deferred pending further discussions.

• Williams reported on the progress of the Safe Routes to School project. Two of the three schools within Forest Acres are not interested in initiating a grant for illuminated crosswalks, preferring to concentrate efforts on obtaining sidewalks instead. The grant is on hold, pending receipt of information and partnership from the schools involved.

• Williams requested and was granted up to $5,000 to replace swollen particle board sills in City Hall windows.

• Mayor Brunson wished it to be known that if the rules permitted, the flag would have been lowered and flown at half mast in mourning for the death of Linda Suber who "was a fine person and a credit to the citizens of Forest Acres. She will be greatly missed."

Community forum

• Chief Sealy announced Community Relations Officer Laurie Tumlin and the Forest Acres Neighborhood Association received an award in recognition of Most Innovative Crime Prevention Program.

• Mike McIntosh requested an update of Police Officer interest in free gym membership. Chief Sealy reports that 17 to 18 officers are interested but wish to choose the gym where they participate.

• Jeff Crane thanked Sean Greenwood for helping with cleanup of trash and equipment in his neighborhood where a resident is operating a construction business out of the backyard of a house.

• Wade Sparx requested consideration of a sidewalk to run the length of Brentwood along the back of A.C. Flora High School.

Council Items

Councilman Fetner helped with the Great American Cleanup along the banks of Gills Creek. Carol Kososki of the Forest Acres Appearance Commission reports the one day clean up effort netted 4,000 pounds of trash and 1,000 pounds of recyclables.

Council was adjourned at 7:47. Council will meet again at 5:15 pm on April 8, 2008.