May 2016

COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
VILLAGE OF FOREST HILLS
MAY 10, 2016

 

The Council meeting for the Village of Forest Hills was held at the Jackson County Recreation Center at 6:00 pm on May 10, 2016.

 

The following members of the Council were present:

Mayor Kolleen Begley

Councilmember Ron Mau

Councilmember Carl Hooper

Councilmember Clark Corwin

Councilmember Debbie Rowland

 

The following Non-Council members were present:

Stephanie Gibson, Clerk

Naren Banwari, Potential buyer of the University Inn

 

Work Session
 
  1. Call to order:  The work session was called to order at 6:15 pm by Mayor Kolleen Begley

 

  1. Introduction of Naren Banwari:  Mayor Begley introduced Mr. Naren Banwari to the Council.  Mr. Banwari had contacted the Village via email and phone; Mayor Begley spoke with him and invited him to attend the Council meeting to discuss his interest in purchasing the University Inn.  Mr. Banwari shared that he is from the Charlotte area but owns a motel in Cherokee, the Holiday Inn Express and is interested in purchasing the University Inn for an investment property. 

Mr. Banwari said that his interest in the University Inn is to take the motel building and possibly create an extended stay and apartments, he said that he would take the number of units from 32 to probably 24 and enlarge the rooms to make efficiency rooms, the building would be no higher than three stories.  He said if purchased, he would tear down the building next to the tennis courts and the other two buildings would be remodeled.  He said the lobby/office area would not be torn down but the l-shaped portion near the pool would be torn down, there would be approximately 24 old units and 24 new units, the others that are currently there may be reconfigured.

Mayor Begley asked about the extended stay aspect, she said the Village would prefer to stay more residential and feels that apartments would be a better option versus extended stay.  Mr. Banwari said that he would prefer more family oriented housing as well and that in his leases he would include conditions for noise ordinances.  He noted that the lobby area of the motel building could be used for amenities for residents.

Councilmember Corwin mentioned the saturation in the area of student housing.  Mr. Naran said that he would create multi-family housing.  Council Mau noted that the faculty housing building was being taken down.

Councilman Mau mentioned the current road configuration in front of the Inn and Mr. Banwari said that he would like for the road to be moved more to the north and have the property to one side.

Mayor Begley asked about the possibility of condominiums, Mr. Banwari said that he would not be building any condos, only apartments or extended stays which are for stays of up to 30 days.

Mr. Banwari asked about the height ordinance, Councilmember Hooper said he thought it was four stories, Mayor Begley said she thought it was three but that would be up to the county.

Councilmember Hooper said that the marketplace varies due to the University; it is mainly operational 8 months of the year.

Mayor Begley asked the Council’s opinion about extended stay, she said that she would prefer apartments, Council agreed.  Mr. Banwari said that he would be agreeable to doing apartments and not having extended stays as long as the road was re-routed.  He noted that the property was between 4-4.5 acres and having it on one side would be better for parking options.

Councilmember Corwin said that he would like to discuss options for the Inn with the Professional Planner, Kristy Carter; the Village has hired to work with the Planning Board.

Councilmember Mau said that they would have to check with DOT regarding the road, the Village section of the road would be the area of the road to be re-routed.   Councilmember Corwin said that he would add the discussion to the agenda for the June Planning Board meeting.

Mr. Banwari said that he is under contract and needs a decision by July 15th.  Councilmember Corwin said that by the first week in July they should be set for conditional zoning and uses and can have a public hearing at the July 5th meeting and could act on the decision at that time.

Mayor Begley said that she would keep in touch with Mr. Banwari and update him after the joint meeting/workshop on May 25th.

Councilmember Hooper said he will be absent from the June Meeting and Councilman Mau said he will be absent for the July meeting.

 

Council Meeting
 
  1.  Call to order:  The meeting was called to order at 7:18 pm by Mayor Kolleen Begley. 
  1.  Announcements:   May 25th 1:00 – 5:00 Planning Board session at SW Commission

                                 June’s Council meeting will be June 7th at the Jackson Co. Rec. Ctr.

                                 July and August regular Council Meetings will be held at the SW Commission in Sylva

                                 The Whee Famer’s Market opens today, running weekly on Tuesdays through the season                                             

  1. Approval of Agenda:  Councilmember Rowland made a motion to approve the agenda; Councilmember Corwin seconded the motion, unanimously approved. 
  1. Approval of Meeting Minutes from the April 05, 2016 Council Meeting:  Councilmember Rowland made a motion to approve the Council meeting minutes; Councilmember Corwin seconded the motion, unanimously approved. 
  1. Acceptance of Financial Report & Checklist for the month of April, 2016:  Councilmember Corwin made a motion to accept the Financial Report; Councilmember Mau seconded the motion; unanimously accepted. 
  1. Public Comment:  None 
  1.  Reports
  • Mayor’s Report:  Kolleen Begley (ordinance violations update, Mayor’s meeting, and updates on what Kristy Carter is working on) - Mayor Begley said that replacement road signs have been ordered.  Councilman Hooper mentioned getting bolts that cannot be removed, he will discuss with B.H. Graning.

Mayor Begley said that Kristy Carter spoke with an Attorney specializing in zoning yesterday.

Councilman Hooper and Mayor Begley will meet with Ben Graning on May 16th to discuss changes to the front entrance and will report on the ideas at the next meeting.

  • Safety & RPO Board:  Carl Hooper - Councilmember Hooper said that there were no citations issued.  He said the RPO meets this month on May 23rd.
  • Roads:  Debbie Rowland – Councilmember Rowland said CWS repaired the potholes with water. Councilmember Mau suggested calling Wes Jamison with DOT to discuss issues with the road at the University Inn to possibly get a ballpark figure for re-routing the road.  Councilman Corwin suggested calling CWS as well.

Councilman Rowland provided a sample postcardto mail out regarding the community event, “Meet Your Neighbor” and ask for approval to order and mail to residents.  Councilmember Mau made a motion to approve ordering the postcards for a fee of up to $80; Councilmember Hooper seconded the motion, unanimously approved.

  • Jackson County CTP:  Ron Mau – Councilmember Mau said that the CTP is in the process of forming a sub-committee for workshops in September.
  • Planning Board:  Clark Corwin (update on previous work session, June meeting date for the Planning Board) - Councilmember Corwin said that Mr. Jack Brown, an ETJ resident, has been appointed as a new member of the Planning Board, he noted that they had a quorum at the last meeting, the workshop, and that Kristy Carter covered a lot of material, he said that she is concerned about the lack of a leadership role.  Councilmember Corwin may facilitate the meetings until a chair is appointed. 
  1. Unfinished Business:  
  • Paving Schedule:  Review updated quotes & funds available, – Mayor Begley provided updated quotes and reviewed funds available for paving.  Councilmember Mau figured rates per square footage and provided updated quotes.  Owen Paving’s quote was $114,437, Parker Paving’s quote was $106,065, and WNC Paving provided a quote of $119,435.  Council discussed the quotes, coverage, and the amount of concrete and gravel needed.  Mayor Begley suggested having Attorney Moore write up an agreement with the contractor chosen regarding the amount of concrete and gravel needed.  Councilmember Mau will contact the Attorney to discuss the agreement.  Mayor Begley noted that it would be good to have the project completed by June 30th. 

Councilman Hooper made a motion to accept Parker’s bid for the paving of Cave’s Spring Rd. per the stipulation requested in the contract to be prepared by the attorney and signed by the contractor, Councilmember Corwin seconded the motion, and two Council members voted in favor, one member voted against, the vote carried to contract with Parker Paving.  Councilman Mau suggested getting tickets on the amount of gravel used for the project.  Councilmember Hooper called Mr. Parker to get a timeframe on completing the job; he was told the work could begin the end of May or beginning of June.  

  1.  New Business:
  • Engagement Letter:  Bronwyn Burleson (annual Village audit report) – Mayor Begley said the audit report price did not change; she and Stephanie will sign and return the agreement to Bronwyn.
  • Engagement Letter:  Anthony Fox, Parker Poe (municipal/land use attorney) http://www.parkerpoe.com/attorneys/anthony-fox  - Council agreed for Kristy Carter to consult with the municipal attorney as needed.  Mayor Begley signed the engagement letter and Stephanie will return for contracting the attorney as needed.
  • Review 2016-2017 Budget:  Kolleen Begley – Mayor Begley reviewed the 2016-17 Budget with Council, reviewed proposed changes, and noted that a public hearing will be held at the June 7th meeting to approve the budget.
  • Monthly fee for Ordinance Administrator:  Mayor Begley asked about paying the Ordinance Administrator a stipend of $25/mth., Council agreed.
  • Whee Farmers Market:  $100 donation – Mayor Begley asked the Council about making a donation to Whee Farmers Market in the amount of $100, Council agreed.

 

10.  Additional Public Comment:  None

11.  Adjourn:  At 8:45pm Councilmember Hooper made a motion to adjourn; Councilmember Mau seconded the motion, unanimously approved.