Forest Acres City Council met on March 14, 2006. With all members present, Mayor Brunson called the meeting to order at 5:15 pm. Councilman Fetner led the invocation and the pledge. Minutes of the February meeting were read, amended, and approved. The purpose of the amendment was to add the word "not" to the section on tattoo parlors to make it clear that Council was not approving tattoo parlors to enter the city but rather creating a place for them should they come to Forest Acres. Mayor Brunson commended City Clerk Margo Pierce for her excellent work transcribing and producing minutes for public access.

Mayor's Issues

Mayor Brunson reported on progress at Midtown at Forest Aces. The mayor, city administrator, and at least one councilman toured the facility currently under development at the old Dillard's site. The rooms currently constructed and offered for pre-sale are reportedly beautiful and being actively marketed daily. Renovation of the old Dillard's building is producing condo-tels. No retailers are displaced as yet. Council looks forward to more action on the site in the near future and will continue to monitor project progress.

New Business

First reading approval was given to annex 4611 Fernwood Road into the city. The motion of annexation was quickly seconded, approved, and carried.

City Manager's Report:

The city has incurred $11,500 in expenses for continued remediation of an underground storage tank facility which occurred in 1999 on Roberts Springs Road. Twenty-one active monitoring wells are still operational on the property, and the cost was associated with the continued monitoring of those wells. The $11,500 recently incurred takes the city over the $25,000 deductible expenses, and the city may be due some returned funds as DHEC assumes responsibility for further monitoring.

The engineering firm monitoring the wells indicates the situation is improving at this facility which was sealed and capped off to meet requirements to update facility in 1999.

Crayton students have sent council letters of thanks for funding their opportunity to go to the Columbia Museum of Art to see My America: Art from the Jewish Museum exhibit. Council was pleased that the young people at Crayton took time to let them know the experience was a positive one and was well appreciated.

Mark Williams , Forest Acres city administrator reported on the ongoing investigation of opportunities for investing of Hospitality Tax funds. As directed by council in February, Mr. Williams widened the search net by sending out a solicitation to every bank in town. Five responded with proposals. Of those five, Arthur State Bank and BB&T offered almost identical proposals with good interest rates and low penalties for early withdrawal. It was moved, seconded, and carried to invest half of available investment funds with each of the two banks and re-evaluate in six months when it is time to renew those certificates.

Community Forum

No one for the community gallery offered comments or concerns. For public interest, council noted three different 5K runs will soon take place in Forest Acres. The Sunshine Run will occur behind City Hall and the Springwood Lake Road area. The Health Run will center around AC Flora and a Women's Empowerment Ministry Run will use a similar route.

Council Items

Williams reported that the City Visioning Project with appearance commission is kicking off and will survey people about what people would like to see done in the parks and Forest Acres in general.

Mayor Brunson mentioned the need to consult with the engineering companies on the project to see what needs to be done about aging playground equipment to improve playground safety at various city parks.

Mayor Brunson also recognized the contributions of an Eagle Scout candidate who spruced up Idalia Park. The mayor expressed thanks to the scout and has sent a formal letter of recognition for his service to the City of Forest Acres.

Councilwoman Dukes asked about the possibility of adding a gazebo to some parks for outside performances.

Williams will share comments with the Appearance Commission.

Councilman Fetner reported that the recent baseball tournament held at AC Flora was a huge success. Attendance was super and the building partially funded by the City of Forest Acres was well used. All comments about the facilities were positive. Councilman Fetner said he was proud of the City of Forest Acres' involvement in that project and its benefit to the community.

The mayor reported that he had received a compliment to the sanitation department for their quick removal of refuse, Councilwoman Dukes received positive comments about recent actions of the police department.

Councilman Fetner recognized scout Daniel Binette of Troop 100 at St. Joseph's Catholic Church who was at the council meeting working on a merit badge.

The meeting was adjourned to allow for an executive session for annual review of administrator, police chief, and personnel. Council meets again on April 11, 2006.