Public hearing

The September 9 Forest Acres City Council meeting began with a public hearing concerning a request to rezone properties at 2401 Decker Blvd. and Wedgefield Rd. at the corner of Decker Blvd. currently zoned residential R- 1 to public and semi- public district P- 1. The purpose of the proposed rezoning is to allow for construction of a church on the vacant lot at the corner of Wedgefield and Decker Blvd. Pastor George Smiling said his congregation wishes to build a permanent facility at this site. John Mower, pastor of the Forest Lake Bible church spoke in favor as did Robert Roach, current owner of the property in question. BJ Koski, who lives on Wedgefield, brought a petition from neighbors opposing the rezoning based on traffic concerns and potential encroachment into the adjacent residential area. Neighbors also expressed concerns about the crime rate in the area associated with the high volume of vacant commercial property along the Decker Blvd. corridor. Faye Davidson, Kenneth May, and Ror y Mundy also expressed similar concerns. After discussion was complete, attorney Lee Holloway called the public hearing to a close saying "Good government cannot function without the citizens coming forth to offer input on what they wish done. Thank you for coming tonight to share your thoughts and concerns." Mayor Frank Brunson called the regular council meeting to order. Minutes of the previous meeting were unanimously approved without change. Frank Brunson, Shell Suber, Charles Fetner, Ginger Dukes, and Curtis Rye were all present.

Mayor's issues

• On the matter of city signs, it was reported that 25 signs for residential areas have been produced and are awaiting a protective overlay to prevent vandalism.

• Quinine Hill Park is well under way but work is approximately a month behind. Similar improvements have been recommended for Idalia and Citadel Parks.

Responses to prior community forum items

• The SCDOT has posted "no parking" signs across from Satchel Ford in response to a citizen's complaints. SCDOT conducted a traffic study in the area which yielded findings similar to Chief Sealy's earlier recommendations the city manager will seek to discuss these findings with the school administration.

• The Forest Acres Police Department completed speed analysis studies on Lakeshore Drive and Springbranch Road. Eighty- five percent of the cars were traveling at a speed of 33 miles per hour despite a posted speed limit of 25 miles per hour.

• The City passed its audit with flying colors. Report to be delivered at November meeting.

New business

• The city passed its audit with flying colors. Report to be delivered at November meeting.

• Two new members were appointed to the planning commission: Anne Bristow and Lucien Hutchinson. Carol Kososki was appointed to fill the empty seat on the zoning board of appeals. Mary Pat Baldauf was appointed as the new chair of the appearance commission.

• Council entertained a motion to have Mary Pat and the appearance commission look into improvements at Citadel and Idalia Parks.

• The Forest Acres classic is scheduled for spring break, April 6- 10 at the AC Flora baseball field. Participating teams include A.C. Flora, Riverside, Laurens, Blueridge, White Knoll, and Spring Valley high schools.

• An ordinance providing for the prohibition of digital billboards and billboard trucks was deferred.

• Amendments to the pet noise code were deferred.

• Approval of banking resolution to participate in CDARS program was unanimous.

• A hospitality tax budget of amounts up to $60,000 was approved for Sweet Seasons to be held on the rooftop at Midtown in Forest Acres.

Old business

• Unanimous second reading approval was given to an ordinance to annex 323 Springwood road into the city of Forest Acres

• Unanimous second reading approval was given to a request to rezone 3546 Covenant road presently zoned R- 1 Residential and adjacent property presently zoned R- 2 Residential by extending the contiguous C- 3 district boundaries to encompass the parcels

City administrator's report

• Council approved a $50 Christmas bonus for city workers in the public works department.

• Council approved $4,285.35 for replacement of expired AED supplies.

• Council approved transferring of funds for purchase of a new recycling truck to be used to replace a trash truck that was totaled when hit at the landfill. Council also approved funds for purchase of a new trash loader.

• An examination of sales tax coding records revealed that several Forest Acres businesses have sales tax collections registered to city of Columbia or Richland county resulting in at least a $10,000 dollar reduction in the revenue for the city. Williams has sent a request for correction to the department of revenue.

• The developer of the property at Forest Drive and Brentwood is meeting with the department of transportation regarding placement of speed bumps on Brentwood.

• The city clock project on the First Citizens' property has been temporarily derailed due to a management change. Williams will institute communication regarding the project with the new management team.

Community forum

• Kathy Counts provided additional information regarding the reasoning behind a request to amend the city's pet noise ordinance. Attorney Holloway provided information for council's consideration. Council deferred action pending further study.

• Mike McIntosh requested council look into including playground equipment at the new Quinine Hill Park site.

Council adjourned at 6:44. The next meeting will be Wednesday, November 12.