Councilwoman Ginger P. Dukes with Catherine Wilson Horne, president/CEO of EdVenture Forest Acres City Council convened at 5:15 pm, Tuesday, December 13, 2005. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Frank Brunson . Councilman Charlie Fetner opened with a prayer, and Scott Davis from Troop 8 of Incarnation Lutheran Church led those assembled in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.

Minutes from the November 8, 2005, meeting were read and approved by council.

Mayor’s update

• Roy Powell, a local contractor and developer, was suggested for appointment to Zoning Board of Appeals to fill the unexpired term left vacant by resignation of Ina Simpson who has left the area due to retirement. This appointment was moved, seconded, and unanimously approved by Council.

• Action on the appointment to fill an unexpired term on Appearance Committee was delayed pending recommendations made at the next meeting.

Police Chief Sealy with Carol Kososki of the Appearance Commission • The board declined to approve first reading of an ordinance to rezone Satchel Ford at Valleybrook from R-1 Residential to R-2 Residential. Councilman Fetner moved to deny the request. Councilwoman Dukes seconded the motion, and it was unanimously denied by council.

• Also denied was first reading approval of an ordinance to rezone 5240 Clemson Ave . from Residential (R-1) to Commercial (C-1). Councilwoman Ginger P. Dukes moved to deny the request. That motion was seconded by Mr. Rye and unanimously denied by council.

Mayor Brunson thanked council for their consideration of rezoning matters and thanked the individuals involved in the requests for their interest in Forest Acres.

Troop 8 from Incarnation Lutheran Church will be doing some beautification projects with the Appearance Commission at Idalia Park in Forest Acres. Pictured (l-r) are John McArver, James McArver, Chris Paschal, Nick Bozard, and Reid Smith.

New Business

• EdVenture: Catherine Wilson Horne of EdVenture and Lee Michael , a resident of Lake Katherine, made a request for hospitality tax funds seeking support for a new math exhibit in 2006 – Go Figure– to run January 14 through April 30, 2006. Horne brought a math activity with tasty treats for council’s enjoyment and thanked council for support of a previous exhibit which had garnered more than 170,000 visitors – 80% families, 20% school groups. The previous exhibit drew 40,000 out of town tourists. As justification for the Go Figure exhibit, Horne stated that while the elementary schools in Forest Acres are among the best in the two Richland districts, PACT scores demonstrate decline in meeting math standards from 3rd to 5th grades. EdVenture hopes to provide free admissions to Forest Acres students as well as free programs and advertising support with the funds requested from council. The new exhibit is expected to attract 55,000 children in school groups from all over state with 4,400 coming from zip codes 29204 and 29206. Council unanimously approved $35,000 in Hospitality Tax funds for Edventure.

Old Business

• Council granted second reading approval of an ordinance to annex 6230 Westshore Road.

• Second reading of a zoning ordinance revision for vehicle parking requirements was deferred until the February meeting, as was second reading of an ordinance providing for appearance commission.

• Council also unanimously approved a supplemental appropriation of $5,000 in hospitality tax funds to Columbia Museum of Art for a student educational program related to the My America exhibit. The additional funds were approved because the museum amended their proposal to include 6,000 student passes for Forest Acres schools and students and pledged to open the museum for an evening for teachers to learn about the exhibit and learn how to use the exhibit in schools.

City Administrator’s Report

• Mr. Williams recommended council approve a $2,500 donation to Waveland, MS , to be used at their discretion as they seek to rebuild that town in the wake of the hurricanes which destroyed the town this past fall. Unanimous approval was granted with a council request that Waveland tell how they used the funds for accounting purposes.

• Williamsburg Condominiums is requesting that sanitation service convert from bulk to roll cart. Williams fears this could be a step in the wrong direction, but there are no grounds for denying the request. The tenants want the City to purchase 18 roll carts – 1/3 of current capacity – at a cost of approximately $2,000.

• Wal–Mart awarded the Forest Acres Police Department $1,000 for two bullet proof vests . Council thanked the Wal–Mart Foundation for that donation.

• Scouts from Troop 8 of Incarnation Lutheran Church will be spreading double hammered mulch and cleaning up at Idalia Park. Council wishes to recognize their contribution and thank them for their efforts on behalf of the residents of Forest Acres.

Special Appeal

• On Thursday at 6 pm there was an appeal of Williams’ decision that putting in a retention pond on Lakeshore Drive for commercial properties for discharge into Forest Lake constituted a commercial use of a residential property even though the same owner holds both properties. This issue may turn out to be a moot point as Forest Lake is privately owned by the Homeowners Association who can deny discharge of storm drains into the lake. Williams reports that the zoning board of appeals upheld his original decision that construction of the retention pond would constitute commercial use of residential property.

• Carol Kososki from the new Appearance Commission reported that the committee has met several times and completed their first project which was the Arbor Day Live Oak planting at Idalia Park. She distributed copies of the article covering the event in The Columbia Star . The next meeting of the Appearance Commission is January 4, 2006 to discuss ordinances and planting ideas.

Public Comments and Input

• Tim McLeod who lives on Florawood Drive reported noise problems due to trash dumpsters which are commonly emptied three to four mornings a week at 4 am. As they empty the dumpsters, they are waking up the children because dumpsters are close to homes, and the noise level is so intense. McLeod would like the noise ordinance to apply – and for pick up to be later – perhaps 7 am like at other locations. Williams will look into the problem.

• Jeff Thore thanked council for denial of rezoning requests and for protecting neighborhoods and the residential areas of the city. All those present applauded council’s efforts on their behalf.

• Jetta Faye Belton asked how one could receive copies of council minutes. Williams stated that minutes are currently available at City Hall after approval by council. He stated they are looking into making those minutes available on the town website http://forest–acres–sc.gov.

Other Items of Interest

• City of Forest Acres license plates are now available for purchase at a cost of $6.

• The Other Paper has a new reporter who will now cover Forest Acres.

Next meeting

Council meets again on Tuesday, January 10, 2006.