Sherwood Forest Neighborhood Association
Meeting Notes from November 13, 2007
Submitted by Valerie Marcil, Secretary

The meeting was held at the Sherwood Forest Presbyterian Church and ran from approximately 6 –7:45 PM. 41 people were in attendance, with Association President, Russell Jones, presiding.

Russell opened the meeting and introduced Officer Folding, who is the police officer responsible for our neighborhood. His phone numbers are 354-2759 or reach him through the Crime Prevention office at 545-3555. You may also call the non emergency number 252-2911. He talked briefly and also introduced the Interim Columbia Police Chief, Officer Caldwell (phone number 545-3514 or 545-3100).

One of the main agenda items was to discuss and vote on the City of Columbia’s Interim Measures for Community Character Protection. LaToya Grate from the City Planning Department was present to provide information on the Measures and answer questions. After a good bit of discussion and a number of questions, the vote was called, with 29 for and 8 apposed. This, then, was a vote for our neighborhood to “op-in” to be covered by the measures. City Council will now vote whether to include us or not. These measures will be good for two years. The City will be working on permanent measures in the meantime that may or may not affect our neighborhood. For more information go to http://www.sherwoodforestneighbors.org/pdf/Interim_Ordinance.pdf

Treasurer Rhett Bailey gave a financial report. Our balance is $2,092.98.

Valerie Marcil gave an update on the arboretum. Open Houses continue on the third Sunday of each month from 1-4 PM. Pat Decoursey continues to clear invasive overgrowth out of the arboretum and is concerned about wild stands of wisteria and kudzu in other parts of the neighborhood that could re-infest the arboretum. For more information on how to eradicate either of these species, contact Valerie at 738-0682 or see the article on Kudzu on the neighborhood website.

Russell reported that Kirby Shealy is putting together a guidebook summarizing all the zoning codes (county) and ordinances (city) that apply to our neighborhood.

Rhett Bailey reported that the City is now considering 4-way stops at Kalmia and Blossom and Kalmia and Yale. We also voted to petition DOT to resurface Kalmia Drive and to evaluate other streets in the neighborhood for resurfacing.

The second major agenda item was to vote on a slate of new officers. The proposed slate of Larry Hembree for President, Ed Tilden for Vice President, Cari Pulliam for Secretary, and Rhett Bailey for Treasurer was unanimously endorsed. Outgoing president Russell Jones gave his blessings to this new group and said that he was looking forward to continuing to work with the neighborhood association, perhaps as Membership Chair.