May 2026

Village of Forest Hills Council Meeting

Tuesday, May 05, 2026 – 8:15 pm

Forest Hills Assembly Hall, Cullowhee, NC

 

The following members of the Council were present:

Mayor Ron Mau

Councilmember Daniel Shields

Councilmember Nilofer Couture

Councilmember Larry Ingersoll

Councilmember Amy Bollinger

The following non-Council members were Present:

Stephanie Gibson, Clerk

Mary Anne Barker, Resident

Rochelle Mau, Resident

Reid Conway, Western Carolina Power

 

1.    Call to order: At 8:15 pm, Mayor Mau called the meeting to order. 

2.  Announcements:  Reminder – Please silence cell phones for the meeting. 

3.    Approval of Agenda: Mayor Mau shared that we needed to add an item under new business, the County's MOU regarding the Fire tax.  Councilmember Shields made a motion to approve the revised agenda, Councilmember Ingersoll seconded the motion, unanimously approved.  

4.    Approval of Meeting Minutes for April 07, 2026, Regular Council Meeting: (All meeting minutes are posted on the Forest Hills website once approved.) Councilmember Ingersoll made a motion to approve the meeting minutes for April 07, 2026. Councilmember Couture seconded the motion, unanimously approved.

5.    Acceptance of Financial Report & Checklist for April 2026: (All financial reports are posted on the Forest Hills website once approved.)

ยท     April Financials:

o   North Carolina class account: $214,789.79

o   United Community Business checking account: $75,435.98

o   Total assets: $290,225.77

o   April revenues: $3,001.76 (from ad valorem, sales tax, and interest)

o   April expenditures: $16,829.11 (utilities, salaries, Village maintenance fees (Robbie Hess’s first billing for FY 25-26), training materials from SOG, and Fire Proof filing cabinets).

Councilmember Couture made a motion to approve the financial reports. Councilmember Shields seconded the motion, unanimously approved.

    • Conclusion: Finances generally on track; a budget amendment will be needed to reclass funds for overage in Village maintenance line items.  The consensus of the board was to take funds from the Attorney Services line item.  Stephanie will prepare a budget amendment to present at the June meeting.
    • Administrative Reports
    • Mayor Mau shared that we had received the fireproof filing cabinets and that he had gotten assistance with moving them in the Assembly Hall and will look at placement in the office.  He said he plans to hold weekly office hours for constituents to visit in the near future.
  • Roads and Ordinance Enforcement
    • White SUV parked near the water tank with an expired license.  Councilmember Ingersoll spoke to Patrolman Ashe about having the vehicle towed, but the owner intervened and removed the vehicle. A record of the incident was kept in case of recurrence.
    • Robbie Hess mowed the entrance and main village roads.
    • Councilmember Ingersoll spoke with Engineer Victor Lofquist about creating a new Powell Bill map for the Village.  He will prepare a new map before the Powell Bill submission is due in July.
    • Councilmember Ingersoll met with Aaron Jones Paving & Grading for estimates of NCC, SCC, and Cave Springs, including shoulder gravel; estimates obtained.  Council discussed engaging a WCU student for a pavement condition survey to prioritize repairs.
    • Councilmember Ingersoll sent an email to a tenant at 45 SCC (rental) regarding cars parked on the lawn; the ordinance requires designated parking spaces.
    • A letter was sent on April 18th to 42 SCC regarding high grass after a 14-day notice.  Enforcement steps may begin (remediation and fines).  Property discussed, intermittent occupancy; prior commitments to cut grass.
    • Debris near maintenance truck/trailer at Sky Color Way addressed after contacting manager Sarah; mailboxes noted as broken/missing.
    • Nonconforming Structures:  Realtor inquired about an ancient outbuilding at 848 SCC. Grandfathered nonconforming structures may remain, but cannot be enlarged or the use expanded.
    • Councilmember Ingersoll noted that there are seven property listings within the village; reminders are planned regarding short-term rental ordinances. 
    • Councilmember Ingersoll contacted Garrett Higdon regarding striping a 90-degree turn near a vacant lot at SCC.  DOT’s mowing schedule is impacted by “No Mow May” pollinator policy.
  • Safety and Patrol Coverage
    • Councilmember Couture did not receive a report from 911 or Officer Ashe before the meeting.
    • Concerns about patrol effectiveness when parked at the entrance; Council will speak to Jamie about other areas and the most effective times for patrol.
    • Mobile speed device in place; residents feel it has shown some impact.
  • Community Planning Process

o   The Planning Board held a meeting in April.  Clark, Planning Board Chair, has moved but is staying in touch with the board and organizing meeting agendas and steps to move forward with the Community Planning Process with the firm, Bolton &Mack.  The Planning Board will need to look at recruiting a new member.  Council will coordinate with Clark and Planning Board members to confirm the May meeting and recruitment needs.

    • Conclusion: Proceed with the first phase of services to work towards a Future Land Use Plan.
  • Public Comment: Resident Rochelle Mau thanked Councilmember Ingersoll for his attention to the road issues and ordinance violations.
  • Unfinished Business: 
  • 1. Rules of Procedure: Mayor Mau shared a draft copy of the Rules of Procedure for the Village.
  • 2.  Internal Controls Policy:  Mayor Mau shared a draft copy of an Internal Controls Policy with the board.
  • 3.  Purchasing Policy:  Mayor Mau shared a draft Purchasing Policy for the Village.

Councilmember Shields made a motion to approve the draft copies submitted of the Rules of Procedure, Internal Controls Policy, and Purchasing Policy for the Village.  Councilmember Bollinger seconded the motion, unanimously approved.

New Business: 

6.    County MOU: Mayor Mau shared an MOU submitted by the County for all Municipalities to sign regarding the Fire Tax. 

Councilmember Couture made a motion for Mayor Mau to sign the agreement, Councilmember Shields seconded, unanimously approved.

7.    Bolton and Menk Proposal: 

Phase 1:  Planning process.  Bolton and Menk submitted a comprehensive implementation strategy for Chapter 160D compliance designed specifically for villages with limited planning staff and resources, providing Forest Hills with an efficient pathway to develop impactful community plans.

8.    Proposed Budget:  Mayor Mau shared a copy of the draft budget and summary for FY 26-27 for review.  Stephanie will advertise a public hearing for the June meeting. 

CIP Status:  Mayor Mau noted that the Council will work towards Capital Improvement Plans.  They will need to establish a guideline for road improvements.

9.    Green Growth Resolution:  The Council reviewed the resolution on Green Growth.  The NC Wildlife Resources Commission has solicited cost-share applications to utilize its Partners for Green Growth Program to consider wildlife and natural resource conservation in land use and development planning.  Intent to include in the application and coordinate with the consultant.

Councilmember Shields made a motion to approve the resolution on Green Growth. Councilmember Ingersoll seconded the motion, unanimously approved.

10.  Closed Session:  Councilmember Couture motioned to go into closed session pursuant to N.C. G.S. 143-318.11(a)(6) for personnel discussion regarding the clerk, Stephanie; informed in advance; asked to step out briefly; no adverse issues stated.

Members emphasized Stephanie’s contribution and lower pay compared to other clerks; a proposal was made to increase compensation by $100/mth.

Returned to regular session; stated no action taken during closed session.

Councilmember Shield made a motion to return to open session.  In the regular session, it was agreed to raise Stephanie’s pay by $100/mth and adjust the budget accordingly.

11.  Adjournment: Motion to adjourn by Councilmember Shields at 9:00 pm.