November 2011

                                                             

                                                                       COUNCIL MINUTES

                                                                 VILLAGE OF FOREST HILLS

                                                                               November 1, 2011

 

The regular meeting of the Village of Forest Hills was held in the meeting room at the Jackson County Recreation Center at 6:00pm on November 1, 2011.

 

The following members of the Council were present:

Jim Wallace, Mayor

Clark Corwin

Carl Hooper

Gene Tweedy

Suzanne Stone

 

The following Non-Council members were present:

Kolleen Begley, Finance Officer, Co-Clerk

Leanne Pate, Clerk

David Moore, Attorney for The Village

Bronwyn Burleson, Burleson & Early, PA

 

Call to order: 6:00pm by Mayor Jim Wallace

 

Vote on Agenda:  Clark Corwin proposed amendment to combine items 6 & 9a, as both pertained to the Village Clerk Position.  A motion to approve the agenda as amended was made by Gene Tweedy, seconded by Carl Hooper, unanimously approved.

 

Approval of meeting minutes for October 4, 2011 Council meeting:  Jim Wallace noted corrections on items 7 and 10b.  A motion to approve the minutes as amended was made by Gene Tweedy, seconded by Carl Hooper, unanimously approved.  (Approved meeting minutes are posted on the Village website.)

 

* Jim added a note of thanks extended to Carl Hooper and Alan Begley for their help with the removal of the fallen tree.

 

Financial reports for the months of October, 2011.  Kolleen Begley gave the Financial Report as 4 months into the 12 months fiscal year, stating: cash position is good at $32K,  general expenses included police protection and attorney fees. Motion to accept the financial report was made by Gene Tweedy, seconded by Clark Corwin, unanimously approved.

 

Bronwyn Burleson:  Discussed the Village Audit Report, stating it was “clean” and approved.  Electronic submission made the process faster.  She explained differences from last year’s presentation, and suggestions for financial conduct.   

                                                                               

Zoning Board of Adjustment:  Nominations are Rick Cardona, ETJ resident, and Ken Dickert, Village Resident.  Jim Wallace made a motion to approve the nominations, seconded by Gene Tweedy, unanimously approved.

 

Mailing Survey Summary:  Gene Tweedy addressed the Council as to sharing the summary with the 60 respondents, per their requests.  Discussion of how to implement this (email vs. post).  Kolleen Begley suggested to post on website, email link to respondents, and post mail the summary to those who don’t have an email listed.

  

 

Duke Energy:  Jim Wallace asked the council if it should go on record regarding the proposed rate hike.  Clark Corwin and Suzanne Stone suggested no action.

 

New Business:  

 

  1. Village Clerk: Debbie Coffey (Clerk for the Town of Dillsboro) was introduced as the potential candidate for the position.  Discussion of potential compensation and monthly hours needed.
  2. Long-Term Vision Statement for The Village:  Clark Corwin made a motion to have a workshop on the Vision Statement, as well as on the Clerk position.  David Moore, Attorney, supported the proposal for discussion of status quo vs, forward motion of The Village.  Clark Corwin made a motion to work on the vision statement.  Jim Wallace called the vote, unanimously approved.  Clark Corwin and Suzanne Stone to be ad-hoc committee for creation of a Vision Statement for The Village.
  3. Rules of Procedure:   Clark Corwin spoke of this necessity, especially during election time.  Proposes to define committees, and to hold an open meeting to work on the Rules of Procedure.
  4. BH Graning:  Jim Wallace presented the bill and the bid for the work on the irrigation system, stating the bill came in higher by $843 due mainly to increased labor and materials.  Carl Hooper requested an itemized list of parts.  Gene Tweedy made a motion to pay the bid amount, seconded by Clark Corwin. Discussion of Council inconsistency in procedure for paying overages, suggestion to have statement of prior approval on future instances of overage.  David Moore, Attorney, agreed this action is fair.  Motion to pay the bid amount and request more information on the overage was unanimously approved.

 

Old Business:  NCDOT update from Carl Hooper continued.  Kolleen Begley had one addition, noting that Tim Greene fixed problems at Devane’s house, and fixed the mailbox situation at Forest Hills Estates at no extra charge.

 

Public Comment:  Mark Teague addressed the Council regarding questions from Forest Hills Estates HOA as to road maintenance and guard-rails.  He also commented on the Village Vision Statement.   

 

At 7:28pm Jim Wallace called for a motion to adjourn, made by Gene Tweedy, seconded by Clark Corwin,  unanimously approved.