COUNCIL MINUTES

VILLAGE OF FOREST HILLS

May 01, 2012

The regular meeting of the Village of Forest Hills was held on May 01, 2012 in the meeting room at the Jackson County Recreation Center at 6:00pm.

 The following members of the Council were present:

Jim Wallace, Mayor

Carl Hooper

Gene Tweedy

 The following Non-Council members were present:

Stephanie Gibson, Village Clerk/Finance Officer

(1)  Call to order: 6:00pm by Mayor Jim Wallace

(2)  Vote on Agenda: Carl Hooper made a motion to approve the agenda and Gene Tweedy seconded the motion.

(3)  Approval of meeting minutes from April 03, 2012 Council meeting:  A motion to approve the minutes was made by Carl Hooper, seconded by Gene Tweedy, unanimously approved.  (Approved meeting minutes are posted on the Village website.)

 (4)  Financial reports for the month of April, 2012:  Stephanie Gibson provided the Financial Reports that were handed out.  The budget for April included $1,581.34 in revenues and $884.58 in expenditures.  General expenses included police protection, utilities, and display ad in the Sylva Herald for the Chancellor.   Motion to accept the financial report was made by Gene Tweedy, seconded by Carl Hooper, unanimously approved.

(5)  FY 12-13 Proposed Budget:  The proposed budget for FY 12-13 was distributed.  Jim Wallace asked for justification to raise property taxes when we have been able to meet our obligations with the current rate. 

Gene Tweedy shared that he feels the tax increase needs to be presented because of forthcoming expenses and give homeowner’s an opportunity to consider the proposal.  We will most likely have expenses going forward that will warrant a future increase.

Carl Hooper noted that road maintenance is our biggest expense.  Last year in repairing one of the least expensive areas, we spent $56,000. 

Carl Hooper said that once the roads are repaired like the area was last year, all of the village roads should be like maintained roads.  He said that he is afraid we will not have the necessary funds to do what needs to be done without an increase in taxes.

Jim Wallace said that he feels the roads can be repaired for now and that the village can wait a while before having to spend the kind of money we did on the last project.  If we wait, hopefully we will have more money to do work in the future.  He feels the roads are overall in pretty good shape.

Motion was made to have a Public Hearing to discuss the budget.  Motion was accepted by Carl Hooper and seconded by Gene Tweedy.

Jim Wallace said that the Public Hearing will be held during the next meeting on June 5.  He suggested we send a notice to all homeowners.

(6)  NC League Annual Fees:  Jim Wallace asked for a motion to pay the annual fees for the NC League.  Gene Tweedy asked what the League does and Jim replied that they give a lot of legal advice.  Jim asked if Insurance was included in the fees of $753.00, the paperwork was unclear.  Stephanie will call and verify what the cost includes.  A motion to approve paying the NC League fees was made by Carl Hooper and seconded by Gene Tweedy.

(7)  Village Draining Problems:  Jim Wallace said that he had spoken to an Engineer, Victor Lofquist, about the drainage problems on Caves Springs Road and North Country Club Drive.  Mr. Lofquist said he would prepare a plan to correct the problem.

 (8)  New Business:

       a)     Disposal of Brush and Debris:  Carl Hooper noted that there has been brush and debris dumped in the ditch on the property between him and his mother’s property. 

Jim Wallace said that in the ordinances it stipulates that brush and debris can be disposed of on undeveloped property.

       b)  Planning Board Committee:  Carl Hooper asked Jim about his progress on finding members for the Planning Board.  Jim replied that he has not completed this but will work on it and hopefully have this completed by June.

 At 6:50pm Jim Wallace called for a motion to adjourn, motion was made by Gene Tweedy, seconded by Clark Corwin, unanimously approved.