October 2015

COUNCIL MINUTES
VILLAGE OF FOREST HILLS
6 OCTOBER 2015

 

The Council meeting for the Village of Forest Hills was held at the Jackson County Recreation Center at 6:00pm on 6 October 2015.

 

The following members of the Council were present:

Mayor Kolleen Begley

Councilmember Ron Mau

Councilmember Carl Hooper

Councilmember Dan Perlmutter

Councilmember Clark Corwin

 

The following Non-Council members were present:

Lee Budahl, Planning Board

Tanner Hall, Sylva Herald

Carolyn Meigs, resident

Chantelle and Caleb Bailey, residents

 

  1. Call to order: The Council meeting was called to order at 6:05pm by Mayor Kolleen Begley.

 

  1. Announcements:

 

a)      A small board training session is scheduled for 13 October 2015 from 4-8:00pm at the Southwestern Commission.

b)      Todd Dillard canceled his overview of Jackson County Emergency Management, and rescheduled for 10 November 2015.

c)       The next Council meeting is scheduled for 10 November 2015 because 3 November is election.

 

  1. Approval of Agenda: Councilmember Hooper made a motion to approve the agenda; Councilmember Perlmutter seconded the motion; unanimously approved.

 

  1. Approval of Meeting Minutes from 1 September 2015: Councilmember Perlmutter made a motion to approve the minutes; Councilmember Corwin seconded the motion; unanimously approved.

 

  1. Acceptance of Financial Report for September 2015: Councilmember Hooper made a motion to accept the Financial Report; Councilmember Corwin seconded the motion; unanimously accepted.

 

  1. Public Comment: Carolyn Meigs stated that Scott Moody estimated he could patch the lower tine of the fork for $800.00. Chantelle and Caleb Bailey stated that emergency vehicles cannot use the lower tine.

 

  1. Reports

 

  • Mayor’s Report:  Mayor Begley stated that the Southwestern Commission, representing the 7 most western counties, reported 211 counts of help and assistance. There are $90,000 in mini-grants, up to $10,000 each, available October 2015.  The Rural Development Roundtable is scheduled for Friday 9 October 2015 from 10:30-11:30am at Jackson County Library. (Councilmember Mau stated he may attend.) No new ordinance violations on North County Club Drive.

 

  • Planning Board Report: Councilmember Corwin stated the rules procedural was complete.  Per Steve Brown, WCU faculty and seniors, request viable mixed use in Village of Forest Hills perhaps near frontage rather than center. Planning Board will review before next Council meeting; need Todd Collin’s input; Todd Collins stepped down from Planning Board; need to fill seat.

 

  • Safety: Councilmember Hooper stated that reports of speeding and unauthorized activities around the water tower, however, recommends to return to regular patrol (not the increase).

 

  • Roads and RPO: Councilmember Perlmutter stated that NCC sidewalk will cost $500,000 to be paid for by Village of Forest Hills, Western Carolina University and Greenway. Mayor Begley stated commitment letter for Village of Forest Hills to pay 20% ($100,000) via grants was submitted by RPO to NCDOT, and that the sidewalk may not be built for another 5 years. Also, safety is still an issue because of speeding.  And, the Webster bike lane proposal was withdrawn.

 

  • Jackson County CTP: Council member Mau stated that CTP did not meet last month on 30 September 2015.  Clerk Gibson needs to remove from VFH website.

 

  1. Unfinished Business:

 

  • Paving Repair CSR: Councilmember Perlmutter stated that the fork should be on the map. Mayor Begley stated that the lower tine in the fork is a road, was originally paved, and should be eligible for Powell Funds. Per Mark Teague, the road was repaired incorrectly. Councilmember Hooper stated that safety, immediacy, and money are of the essence. Councilmember Perlmutter made a motion to submit a proposal to Parker Paving for the complete reconstruction of the road based on the original paved width; Councilmember Corwin seconded the motion.  Councilmember Perlmutter made a motion to amend the proposal to a maximum of $5,625.00; Councilmember Hooper seconded the motion. Councilmember Perlmutter made a motion to vote on the resolution; Councilmember Hooper seconded the motion; Council voted unanimously to adopt resolution. Councilmember Hooper will present proposal to Parker Paving and has full authority to act upon it. Contingency -- if Parker Paving estimates that the gravel pit will be closed before PP can reconstruct the sub-strata for repaving, then PP will bandage said broken road.

 

  1. New Business: Councilmember Mau stated that stop signs need to be placed on side roads connecting to NCC and SCC drives.

                                                                           

  10.  Additional Public Comment:  Carolyn Meigs stated that Council needs to put pressure on Parker Paving.

 

  11.  Adjourn: At 7:25pm Councilmember Hooper made a motion to adjourn; Councilmember Mau seconded the motion.