Village of Forest Hills Work Session

February 03, 2026

7:00 PM

Meeting Notes

Proposed Ordinance on Nuisance and Vicious Animals

• A proposal was introduced to amend the Forest Hills code of ordinances regarding animals, incorporating language from the Town of Webster’s animal control ordinance.
• It adds two chapters:

o   Chapter 4.6: Nuisance Animal/Public Assistance Animal.

o   Chapter 4.7: Vicious or Dangerous Animal.

Conclusion: The proposal was well received. It will be compiled and then sent to the attorney for legal review.

• The amendment applies to dogs/animals when off their own property; it would not apply if someone is bitten after entering the animal’s property.
• Nuisance animal behaviors include chasing vehicles, excessive barking, harassing pedestrians, and causing unsanitary conditions.

Revised Rules of Procedure

·         The council discussed obtaining copies of the “Rules of Procedure” for municipal boards.

·         Booklets were unavailable at the “Essentials” training due to no bookstore.

·         A digital version is now available, which may allow easier editing.

·         Conclusion: Ms. Gibson will order three copies of the Rules of Procedure booklets.

Planning Board Appointments and Communication

·         A new member’s name will be presented at the next regular session to make the appointment official.

·         The new member will be sworn in at the planning board meeting on February 17th.

·         Mr. Corwin will continue the communication process between the planning board and the town board.

Takeaways from Essentials Training

• Council member Bolinger and Mayor Mau attended the “Essentials” training; a key theme was internal controls, aligning with recent auditor recommendations.
• Recommendations:

o   Require two signatures on all checks.

o   The auditor prefers direct purchases with a debit card over reimbursements.

o   Use a stamp on every check when paid.

• A formal purchasing policy was raised, a need based on information from essentials training.
• Conclusion: Mayor Mau will work with the auditor to develop internal control processes and will go to the bank to update signature authority.

Policy on Donations

·         Training clarified that municipalities can only make donations that directly affect their constituents.

·         Volunteer fire departments are an exception; the council can continue its donation.

·         The animal shelter was also noted as a permissible nonprofit for donations.

·         Conclusion: Donations must be clearly tied to benefiting local citizens, with specific exceptions noted.

Impact of County-Wide Fire Tax

·         Jackson County is forming a county-wide fire tax district.

·         Seven cents of the property tax rate would be allocated to emergency services.

·         This will increase Forest Hills residents’ total contribution to emergency services.

·         This raises whether the village’s annual donation to the volunteer fire department (currently $10,000) should be adjusted.

·         Conclusion: The council will consider the new tax’s budget impact and the fire department donation over the next few months.

Website Redevelopment

·         Mayor Mau met with the website host; the process involves selecting from 3–4 municipal templates.

·         After a design presentation, there will be a five-day window for changes before further edits become billable.

·         Current host: Catalyst (Alpharetta, GA), payment address in Tampa, FL.

·         An invoice for domain name services was received and is being questioned as a potential double billing.

·         Conclusion: Mayor Mau will share templates with the council for review. Ms. Gibson will investigate the questionable invoice.

Budget Calendar and Process

·         The budget process will begin; a committee will be formed at the March meeting, aiming for a draft by April.

·         A mid-May special meeting may be needed for public hearings and review periods.

·         Any budget-impacting goals (e.g., storage shelves, fireproof filing cabinet) should be sent to Stephanie.

Transition to Paperless Meetings

·         Providing tablets to board members was discussed, but it may be too costly.

·         The council agreed to transition toward paperless meetings.

·         Conclusion: Agendas and meeting packets will be emailed; members can print as needed. Public agendas will include QR codes to access the full packet.