Village of Forest Hills Council meeting
Monday September 10, 2001
7:00 PM
University Inn
Mayor Irene Hooper called the meeting to order at 7:10 PM. In attendance were Mayor Hooper; Council persons Larry Kolenbrander and Harold Williford, Financial Officer James Weir; Clerk Mary Ann Budahl; Rose Hooper of the Sylva Herald, and 7 residents of Forest Hills.
Mayor Hooper welcomed all.
The minutes of the previous meeting of August 6, 2001 were accepted as previously circulated (Kolenbrander, Williford) by a unanimous vote.
Jim Weir reported that receipts (interest and property taxes) for the previous month totaled $1918.00; disbursements (attorney fee and sewer feasibility study) totaled $1208.00 leaving a balance on September 1 of $57,194.00. The report was unanimously approved. (Williford, Kolenbrander)
4. A special guest, Jim Dukes, Chairman of the Jackson County Greenway Commission reported that in 2-years time the Commission has received 2 grants from Duke and from Kodak totaling $11,000, and has a grant of $25,000 from the Cleanwater Management Trust that is pending. He spoke of an early project presently underway – that of the 260 ft. walking trail in Dillsboro, and the Commission’s prospective plan to link Cherokee to Cashiers with connecting corridors.
5. Mayor Hooper reported in the matter of state maintenance North Country Club Drive, DOT has finished staking it, and has passed its report on to the state right-of-way office. They estimate that this phase will take a couple of months before anything can be learned. As to the question of single lane roads in our subdivision, this seems possible only if we were a new neighborhood, and not an existing community.
6. Mayor Hooper read a letter dated August 13, 2001 from DOT which stated that our request for a traffic light at the corner of Hwy 107 and North Country Club Drive seemed ‘warranted and effective’, and therefore funds were allocated.. When the engineer’s plan is completed, it will be placed on the contractor’s construction schedule, and hopefully, we will have a traffic light by the end of 2001!
7. The Public Hearing involving ETJ was been scheduled to September 24, 2001 at 7:00 PM at the Cullowhee United Methodist Church. Notices have been sent out to property owners in the proposed ETJ area, and a notice will appear in the Sylva Herald as required by law. Furthermore, an informational letter will be sent to residents of Forest Hills discussing ETJ issues, and clarifying several activities taking place in the Village. (Note: if you are aware of any resident who did not receive a letter, please notify clerk, Mary Ann Budahl at mabudahl@home.com) This will also be posted on the Forest Hills web site http://www.niguide.com/member.mst?lc=1&o=VillageofForestHills. Motion clarifying procedure to be followed during public hearing, namely, length of meeting: 2 hours; speakers will sign up at beginning of meeting and will be limited to 3 minutes; first preference will be given to residents of Forest Hills, then to proposed ETJ property owners, then to the general public (Williford, Kolenbrander) passed unanimously.
8. 24 transactions when noted through DMV last month.
9. The Forest Hills litter cleanup will be held either October 6 or 13. Jean Adams will be asked to organize it again this year.
10. No report regarding the Sewer Feasibility Study, although it was noted that the first payment was made to the W K Dickson Engineering Firm.
11. It was briefly noted that Jackson County’s 150th birthday celebration is ongoing; however the major events for the entire County will take place during October.
12. Please consult the Sylva Herald’s Special Edition for details regarding the numerous events scheduled around the above noted celebration. The Municipalities and the County Government are to be the only advertisements in this special edition of The Sylva Herald. Motion to spend $98.00 to pay for an ad for the Village of Forest Hills. (Williford, Kolenbrander) passed unanimously.
13. Mayor Hooper noted that the special Forest Hills election will be held on November 6 at the Cullowhee Valley School. Jim and Evelyn Weir, and Mary Ann Budahl have volunteered to work at the poll on that day; however, two more workers are needed. If you are interested, please call Mayor Irene Hooper at 293-5456.
14. It was noted that the Jackson County moratorium involving cell towers will expire in October, and Jackson County Board of Commissioners is presently developing an ordinance to regulate cell towers. Discussion regarding what direction Forest Hills should take. Larry Kolenbrander will speak with Attorney Jay Coward regarding legal considerations.
15. Mayor Hooper attended the Jackson County Joint Government meeting on August 16. Ian Pritchard has agreed to represent Forest Hills at the Smart Growth Project Committee that will, upon completion of the second rounds of meetings, present a plan of action to be considered by the Commissioners (Note: the Cullowhee meeting is scheduled for October 30 at the Cullowhee Valley School at 7:00 P.M.)
16. Our Mayor met with the newly appointed Manager of Jackson County, Mr. Ken Westmoreland who she reported as being very cordial and willing to help our Village in any way.
17. Please note that the Duke Power local office located in Sylva will close approximately April 30, 2002. Arrangements will be made for one or two local businesses to accept payments to accommodate those who pay their power bills in person.
18. Several traffic signs in the Village have been removed or defaced by vandals recently. Mayor Hooper will check with DOT regarding their replacement. Unfortunately the Neighborhood Watch Signs replacement will have to be paid for by the residents of the Village of Forest Hills. It was also reiterated that in the case of any loud noise emanating from partygoers after 11:00 P.M., residents are advised to call the sheriff’s office (586-8901).
Motion to adjourn (Kolenbrander, Williford) passed unanimously. The meeting was adjourned at 9:10 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Mary Ann Budahl
Clerk, Village of Forest Hills
