The following members of the Council were present:

Mayor Jim Wallace

Councilmember Daniel Shields

Councilmember Ron Yount

Councilmember Marcia Almond

Councilmember Nilofer Couture

The following non-Council members were Present:

Stephanie Gibson, Clerk

Patricia O’Neil, Grant Writer

 

1. Call to order: at 7:00pm Mayor Wallace called the meeting to order. 

     2.  Announcements:

Reminder – Please silence cell phones for meeting. 

     3.  Approval of Agenda: Councilmember Shields made a motion to approve the agenda, Councilmember Almond seconded the motion, unanimously approved. 

     4.  Approval of Meeting Minutes for April 04, 2023, Regular Council Meeting:(All meeting minutes are posted on the Forest Hills website once approved.) Councilmember Almond made a motion to approve the meeting minutes for April 04, 2023, Councilmember Shields seconded the motion, unanimously approved. 

     5.  Acceptance of Financial Report & Checklist for the month of April 2023: (All financial reports are posted on the Forest Hills website once approved.) Councilmember Almond made a motion to accept the financial report, Councilmember Shields seconded the motion, unanimously approved. 

Stephanie noted that the budget was over $84.96 for Village Entrance Operating services.  Councilmember Shields made a motion to reclass funds in the amount of $1000 to cover the overage and pay for services in May and June, Councilmember Couture seconded the motion, unanimously approved.

6. Public Hearing for review of proposed budget for 2023-2024: No public was in attendance. 

The council reviewed the draft budget and made one change to add a line item for Village Social.  Councilmember Yount made a motion to accept the proposed budget with revisions for FY 23-24, councilmember Shields seconded the motion, unanimously approved. 

     7.  Great Worley – Director of HERE  - Ms. Worley has rescheduled to attend the June council meeting.

     8.  Reports: 

Mayor’s Report: Jim Wallace – Mayor Wallace said that he spoke with BH Graning about having evergreens planted on the left of the entrance to create a buffer and landscaping the area and asked for a quote for that area.  BH Graning provided a quote of $11,500 to plant evergreens and landscape the left side of the village entrance.  Councilmember Almond made a motion to accept the quote from Graning to plant evergreens and landscape that space, Councilmember Yount seconded the motion, unanimously approved.

Roads: Ron Yount – Councilmember Yount said the roads were in good condition.  He noted that there were a couple of areas where pavement was broken and that CWS would need to complete repairs to those areas and said he would follow up with them. 

Councilmember Shields mentioned that several road signs still needed to be replaced.  Stephanie will call and follow up with BH Graning about getting those signs put up.

RPO/TAC: Marcia Almond – Councilmember Almond said there has not been a meeting since the last Council meeting.  She shared that Greta Worley who is over HERE, the homeless program had to cancel but agreed to speak at the next council meeting and asked that council members compose questions they may have for the June meeting.

Planning Board: Planning Board Chair Tim Eckard was absent.

Village Safety: Nilofer Couture said she had not received a patrol report but noted there were several 911 calls, a couple on SCC drive and several from the hotel area and prospect.  Stephanie shared that Jamie Ashe who resides in Forest Hills is now over the patrol for the village and he sent a report for April, there was a total of 21 hrs. of patrol for the month of April.  The council discussed the need for additional patrol hours, particularly during the beginning and ending of semesters at WCU.  Councilmember Couture asked if we could invite the officers to the next meeting to discuss hours and areas of concern in the village and get input from the officers.  Stephanie will contact Jamie Ashe to invite him and the other officer, Tye Foxx to the June meeting.

9. New Business: 

• Patricia O’Neil – Grant Writing:  Patricia O’Neil attended the meeting and provided updates on potential grants to assist with paving roads and other village projects.  She noted that she did not feel particularly confident about getting a grant for paving but would explore options if the village would like her to do so.  Councilmember Shields made a motion to contract with Patricia to explore grant opportunities for the village, Councilmember Almond seconded the motion, unanimously approved. 

Councilmembers ask her to also explore options for getting sewer services for the village.  Patricia said that the village would need to have an engineering study first to explore that option.  Mayor Wallace said that he would contact Victor Lofquist to see about getting an engineering study and follow up at the next meeting.

• Village Social – Council discussed having the summer village social and decided to have the social on July 4^th instead of the regular council meeting.  Further details will be discussed at the June meeting.  

    10. Unfinished Business: 

• Update on Prospect Commercial Space:  Mayor Wallace said there was nothing new to report. 

• Planning Board member needed from the ETJ area:  Mayor Wallace asked Councilmembers to ask anyone that might be interested in serving on the Planning board.

     11. Adjourn: At 8:45pm, Councilmember Shields made a motion to adjourn, Councilmember Couture seconded the motion, unanimously approved.