The September 8, 2009, Forest Acres City Council meeting began with invocation led by Charles Fetner and the Pledge of Allegiance led by Joshua McClain, Ben Cagle, Eddie Alford, Samuel Alford, Sean Bryant, and Steven Bryant, Scouts from Troop 8 of Incarnation Lutheran. Curtis Rye, Ginger Dukes, Lee Holloway, Charles Fetner, and Mark Williams were present. Mayor Pro Tempore, Curtis Rye, presided.

Mayor’s issues

• Responses to request for engineering qualifications on the Gills Creek Walking Trail are slated to arrive in October. The City hopes to award the contract soon.

• Council will move forward with improvements to Citadel and Idalia Parks. Revisions remain to be done on the plan for Pine Tree Park.

• The City Clock Project is moving forward pending cost for performance bond.

• The School Zone posting request for Brentwood was declined by the Department of Transportation.

New business

• The rezoning of 6921 Brookfield Road from R1 to C1 was given unanimous first reading approval.

• The tax millage rate of 47 mils for the fiscal year of 2009–2010 was unanimously accepted.

• A change to the Code of Ordinances providing for an amendment to the Business Licenses Classification for wholesale sales was approved.

• A request to use the 2008 USGS seismic map was unanimously approved.

• A request for a streetlight for Troy Road was deferred pending study by the Forest Acres Police Department.

• A resolution for the city to continue to participate in CMRTA was approved.

Old business

• A revision to the Code of Ordinances concerning storm water control was held over pending clarification from the county.

• A request for a streetlight at 9 Holiday Circle was approved.

City administrator’s report

• The DOT grant has been received, but negotiations are underway about particulars of grant administration.

• CMARTA will relocate the bus stop in front of First Citizens to the area between Dunkin Donuts and the car wash. Building of a bus shelter there is proposed.

•Drainage improvements to Sunnyside Ditch where the Penn Branch flooding has occurred is underway. Improvements include ditch stabilization and an increase in culvert size to prevent future problems.

• Richland Countywide Stormwater Consortium recently signed a petition with Carolina Clear, Arcadia Lakes, and Forest Acres.

Police Chief’s report

• The recently held Rooftop Rhythms was the largest thus far. Chief Sealy estimated 2,500 to 3,000 citizens attended, and reported no incidents.

Community forum

• Bert Moore of Forest Acres Neighborhood Association invited council and constituents to attend the next meeting of that organization.

• Carol Kososki wants people to look out for Gills Creek during the heavy rains. Serious sedimentation problems continue in Gills Creek and Forest Lake.

Council items

• Ginger Dukes inquired about the trees during the holiday season.

• Char les Fetner expressed concern about the condition of the mailboxes in Forest Acres and asked residents to take pride in their community by sprucing them up or replacing deteriorating mailboxes.

• Council invites the public to join the Forest Acres Community on the Rooftop at Mid Town for Sweet Seasons on December 3, 2009.

Council was adjourned for an executive session and met again October 13.