May 2009

COUNCIL MINUTES

                                                                 VILLAGE OF FOREST HILLS

                                                                               May 5, 2009

 

 

The regular meeting of the Village of Forest Hills was held in a room at the University Inn at 6:00pm on May 5, 2009.

 

The following members of the Council were present:

Dick Iobst

Kay Shapiro

Gene Tweedy

Suzanne Stone

Jim Wallace, Mayor

 

The following Non-Council members were present:

Jim Weir, Finance Officer

Kolleen Begley, Clerk

Carl Hooper, ALT Clerk

 

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

 

(2)    Opening Prayer

 

(3)    Motion to approve Minutes for the March 3rd meeting made by Gene Tweedy, seconded by Dick Iobst and unanimously approved.

 

(4)    Jim Weir gave the financial report for the months of March & April, 2009.  Funds in included an additional $8,980 from taxes and $703 from interest.  Funds out included $1080 going for police protection, $1765 payment for data archive, $300 for website hosting, $388 for Village entrance and $78 for miscellaneous administrative.  The budget vs actual for the fiscal year will be posted on the website.  Motion approve the financial was made by report by Dick Iobst and seconded by Gene Tweedy, unanimously approved.

 

(5)    Emily Elders gave the Council an update report on the Jackson County Greenways plans.  Emily explained that there is a comprehensive master plan for the Greenway but is looking for any suggestions, changes and feedback from the municipalities including the Village of Forest Hills on destinations for sidewalks and bike trails identified in the Village or outside communities.  There were 3 meetings scheduled for public input as well.  Contact Emily Elders for their schedule at 828.293.3053. 

 

 

(6)    Mayor Wallace suggested a contract be done by Begley Electric, Inc. for the Village entrance electrical and plumbing to be maintained monthly.   Begley Electric to get back to Mayor Wallace with a quote for that contract to be approved by Council.   

 

 

(7)    Peggy Hurt with Friends of the Library reported on an update of the new Jackson County Library and is requesting the Council to approve a donation from The Village of Forest Hills.

Peggy reported that the ground breaking of the new Jackson County Library will be Saturday, May 16th at the Bicentennial Park from 10-1. The new library will be constructed to connect to the back of the old historic courthouse in downtown Sylva and will match the architecture of the courthouse.

The old courthouse will be utilized for meeting spaces and will house the Jackson County Historical Society.  Peggy showed the architect’s renderings of the new 2-story building to be constructed as the library which includes atriums and porches.  Library plans included a children’s section, a teen section, private tutor rooms, and a computer section which will have at minimum 16 computers. Peggy reported that their goal is to raise $1.5M and have so far to date raised $1M and is now soliciting donations.

 

 

(8)    Discussion about what constitutes a “quorum” for The Village of Forest Hills meetings.  In the case of the Village of Forest Hills with their 4 council members and a mayor, a quorum would be 2 Council members plus a mayor (50% + a Mayor.)

 

 

(9)    Assignment of and update for the Budget Committee for The Village of Forest Hills.  Mayor Wallace assigned the Budget Committee which will be Jim Weir (Chair), Gene Tweedy, Kolleen Begley, and Carl Hooper.  The new fiscal year budget will be due to present to the Council at the June meeting which will be advertised as a public hearing.

 

(10)The June Council meeting will be held at 7:00pm at the University Inn lobby.  The Council has been meeting at 6:00pm through the winter and will revert to the 7:00pm meeting time until further notice.

 

(11)Roger Turk gave a proposal to the Council for enhancing the Village entrance with color year round.  His suggestion is to add perennials (a one time purchase) to dress up the entrance so something is blooming all year.  His estimate includes 3 pieces (in case Council wants to expense this with 3 phases.) The entire proposal was for bulbs at a cost of $6,625.00.  Phase 1 would be 300 flowers in front of the sign for $2,750.00, phase 2 would be $2,950.00 extending along North Country Club Dr., and 3rd phase would be $925.00 to fill in along 107.   If Council decides to do all 3 sections there would be a 10% discount given.  This would include labor to install the bulbs and fertilization.  The current maintenance contract would include maintenance for these additional flowers. 

 

(12)Carl Hooper and Clark Corwin gave the Council an update on the progress of the Planning Board.  The Planning Board met from 1:00 – 5:00 earlier today (May 5, 2009) to obtain guidance via a presentation from the NC Division of Community Assistance.  This Division will be billing the Village for their mileage from Asheville.  A motion to approve this expense was made by Kay Shapiro and seconded by Suzanne Stone, unanimously approved.  The next Planning Board Meeting is scheduled for Thursday, May 14th at the University Inn.  The following meeting is scheduled for June 23rd from 1-5pm at the Jackson County Rec Center meeting room.

 

(13)At 7:32pm a motion was made by Dick Iobst to go into Closed Session

 

(14)At 7:53pm Council returned to an Open Session.  Emily Elders with Jackson County discussed how conservation easements work and how the Village of Forest Hills could obtain more information about grants to purchase land for a conservation easement. Emily offered to help write a grant for the Village of Forest hills if and when they were interested in obtaining property for a conservation easement in the Village. 

 

(15)NEW BUSINESS:  Discussion about when bills get paid by the Village of Forest Hills was brought up by Evelyn Weir.  A motion to approve that all bills get paid Net 30 was made by Suzanne Stone and seconded by Kay Shapiro, unanimously approved.   Kay Shapiro reported that the garbage/recycling location in Cullowhee will be moving out of it’s current location.  New location for this is currently unknown. 

 

(16)OLD BUSINESS:  Carl Hooper will check with Olin Dunford about whether or not he will be filling in the Planning Board member open position. 

 

 

 

There being no further business (and no other persons to be heard), a motion to adjourn the meeting was made by Suzanne Stone, seconded by Gene Tweedy, and unanimously approved.  Meeting adjourned at 8:05pm.