The July 9, 2008 meeting of the Forest Acres City Council was called to order by Mayor Frank Brunson who turned it over to City Attorney Lee Holloway for a Public Hearing concerning the rezoning of 3546 Covenant Road, TMS# 14012- 11- 02, 14012-11- 01 and 14012- 11- 03 from R- 1 residential to C- 3 residential. The Hearing was postponed due to confusion concerning proper tax map identification numbers. Wanda Baker will work with Mark Williams to amend the rezoning request to be heard in August and the regular Council meeting began.

Roll call

Lee Holloway, Ginger Dukes, Curtis Rye, Frank Brunson, Charles Fetner, Shell Suber, and Mark Williams were all present.

Mayor's issues

• The post materials for the city signs are currently on back order. A prototype will be available as soon as materials are acquired.

• July 15 is the preconstruction meeting for Quinine Hill Park.

Responses to prior Community Forum items

• Regarding the issue of gym memberships for Forest Acres City Police Officers and employees, action has been postponed pending information on a wellness program from Carolina Care plan.

• Mark Williams has spoken to the Department of Transportation, which acknowledged the damaged sidewalks on Beltline Boulevard are a problem, and action is warranted. None has been taken.

• In response to reports of vandalism on Brenthaven Road, police patrols have been increased in that area.

New Business

• An ordinance to annex 3521 Greenway Drive; TMS 16812- 02- 05 (Novak) and 3517 (Culpepper) Greenway Drive; TMS 16812- 02- 04 into the City of Forest Acres was unanimously approved.

• An Ordinance to amend the city's sign ordinance was tabled.

Old business

• An ordinance to annex 3525 Greenway Drive; TMS 16812- 02- 06 (Powell) into the city of Forest Acres was unanimously approved.

• A request for $60,000 dollars in hospitality tax funds by Andrew Witt of the Cultural Council was approved with a four to one vote. Fetner dissented.

• A request for $30,000 dollars in hospitality tax funds by Richard Starrett of the Columbia City Ballet was unanimously approved.

• A request for $45,000 dollars in hospitality tax funds by Tut Underwood of the State Museum for the Machines in Motion exhibit was approved with Fetner and Suber dissenting.

• Mayor Brunson announced that Council had declared a moratorium on consideration of funding requests from outside entities until Council can ascertain the cost of current beautification projects and the status of the Gills Creek Nature Trail Project.

City administrator's report

• The A.C. Flora Cycling Club is working on a Forest Acres event in August. The City will be a co- sponsor.

• Williams gave a report on the Forest Acres sponsored Kigali Classroom at Riverbanks Zoo. Construction is proceeding and the grand opening is expected soon.

• The city is going to be performing service on the Florawood waterline to fix water pressure issues.

• The Forest Acres brochure is underway and there will be an example at the next meeting.

• Plans for resurfacing Forest Drive are imminent. Community forum

• Mike McIntosh asked whether Richland County's recently passed ordinance making restaurants and public building smoke free included Forest Acres. Mayor Brunson said Forest Acres was not affected by the Richland County ordinance; however, most Forest Acres restaurants have already decided to go smoke free.

• Ralph Bailey commended Council on its efforts to be more judicious in allocations of hospitality tax funds in order to spruce up the city of Forest Acres to make it more appealing to both residents and tourists.

• Van Williams, a resident of Seay Court, requested Council rezone the property on 1620 Willingham Drive back to residential because it is causing traffic problems. He would not like to see the property continue to be used for commercial after Cottage and Vine relocates.

At 6:25 Council adjourned for a public hearing concerning the rezoning of TMS#14110- 02- 01, 19 & -20; Wheeler Road from R1 Residential to R1, the same as R1 except the lot minimum size is 12,000 square feet instead of 15,000 square feet. Tom Whitehouse and family want to rezone to R1 to allow for ten lots, two more than R1 would allow. Many residents were opposed to this change because of the size of the road. Action will be taken at the next meeting.

Paul Palmer, Michelle Kyzer, and Homer Blount spoke in favor of the change. Nancy Cheek, Wilma Shackelford, David Horton, and Kay Herbert spoke in opposition.

Council adjourned for an executive session after which they reconvened and adjourned officially without further action. Council will meet again August 12.