The following members of the Council were present:

Mayor Marcia Almond

Councilmember Robert Kehrberg

Councilmember Daniel Shields

Councilmember Nilofer Couture

Councilmember Larry Ingersoll

The following non-Council members were Present: 

Stephanie Gibson, Clerk 

Residents: Rochelle Mau, and Robby Hess

 

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

     2. Announcements:

Reminder – Please silence cell phones for meeting. 

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

     4.  Approval of Meeting Minutes for June 03, 2025, Regular Council Meeting and the Public Hearing Minutes for June 19, 2025, meeting: (All meeting minutes are posted on the Forest Hills website once approved.) Councilmember Shields made a motion to approve the meeting minutes for June 03, 2025, Councilmember Ingersoll seconded the motion, unanimously approved. Councilmember Couture made a motion to approve the meeting minutes for June 19, 2025, Councilmember Shields seconded the motion, unanimously approved.

     5.  Acceptance of Financial Report & Checklist for the month of June 2025: (All financial reports are posted on the Forest Hills website once approved.) Councilmember Ingersoll made a motion to approve the financial reports, Councilmember Kehrberg seconded the motion, unanimously approved.

Stephanie noted that as previously discussed, a budget amendment is needed to cover line items for Attorney fees and Village Social that were over the budgeted amount. She noted that one expense for the Village Social had been paid that was for July, but paid in June, in the amount of $250 which caused that overage. Councilmember Shields spoke with the Attorney’s office several months ago about some charges in question and received a response that the Village would be reimbursed for a sum of $7,567.53 for services billed at a rate in excess of normal charges.  We have not received a refund to date. Councilmember Shields will contact the firm to clarify if we will receive a reimbursement check or credit on our account.

     6.  Public Comment: None

     7.  Reports: 

Mayor’s Report & RPO/TAC: Marcia Almond – Mayor Almond shared that she attended the TAC meeting and that they said that the scheduled paving of SCC Road resurfacing that was scheduled has been moved to 2030. She shared that I-40 had reopened one lane of traffic.

Mayor Almond said that she asked the attorney about Eminent Domain and is awaiting a response. She feels that it needs to be discussed further.

Mayor Almond attended a meeting on June 16, Our State, Our Home with Mike Poston and the housing crisis was discussed. She also attended a meeting at WCU on the Housing Summit. She attended the Southwestern Commission meeting. She reminded Council members of the dinner they will hold at Betty’s Creek on July 28 and encouraged all who could to attend.

Roads:  Councilman Ingersoll said that said that the estimate was sent from Patrick Rice to clean out ditches and clear culverts along Cave Springs in the amount of $1000 that the Village will pay.

Councilmember Ingersoll said that Carolyn Meigs contacted him about her road being graveled. He has received a couple of bids. BH Graning’s quote was $6750. Aaron Jones quoted $4100 for the same amount of material, 60 tons of gravel for 860to Ms. Meigs well. Councilmember Ingersoll made a motion to hire Aaron Jones to gravel the road on Meigs Way, Councilmember Kehrberg seconded the motion, unanimously approved. Councilmember Ingersoll said that he received a quote for repairs on Cave Springs Road from Aaron Jones in the amount of $3500 and is supposed to meet with Black Bear Paving on July 2, and Parker Paving on July 7 for their quotes. He noted that Scott Frady with DOT, assessed the repairs needed on SCC Road but does not have an estimated time that they will be able to repair them.

Village Safety:  Councilmember Couture said that Officer Ashe did not patrol in May since they were out of town part of the month. She said that there were 35 - 911 calls, 2 calls were from a commercial property, Alta View and Prospect, and 5 calls from the motel and 5 from Prospect.

• TWSA: None

 

• Planning Board: No members were in attendance, no updates.

 

8. New Business:

 

• Contract for Road Maintenance with Robby Hess: Robby provided the Council with a copy of his invoice for services provided and signed a contract for Village Road maintenance for the new fiscal year, outlining services to be provided.

 

• Contract for JCPD Officers patrolling the Village: Mayor Almond mentioned a contract for officers. Stephanie spoke with Officer Ashe, and he said that the Sheriff could attend a Village meeting and discuss a memorandum of understanding between the Village and Sheriff’s office for services. Jamie will follow up with more information at the August meeting.

 

9.  Unfinished Business: 

 

• Updates on Engineering Study: Mayor Almond said that she had received a report from Withers Ravenel on the Engineering Study and would email it to the Council.

 

• Village Summer Social: Mayor Almond and Council discussed the summer social to be held on July 13^th. Mayor Almond said that B&ALs were catering and would have vegetarian options as discussed. The social will be from 4:00-7:00pm at Catamount Jaxe. A group was hired to provide Music Bingo. Council discussed having gift cards in the amount of $10 for winners. They asked that Stephanie purchase 12 cards. Stephanie will send out invitations when they are printed.

 

• Usage of the Assembly Hall: Mayor Almond and Council discussed having a policy for using the Assembly Hall. Council felt there should be a guide for use and who was eligible to use it. To be discussed further at the next meeting.
• Contract with Jackson County Planning:  Council had previously discussed the contract with Jackson County Planning and whether it was needed. Councilmember Shields said that it was for support and 24/7 on call service, which was not needed at this time. Councilmember Shields made a motion to cancel the contract with Jackson County Planning that the Village was currently paying $2,000/quarter for and save the $8K per year, Councilmember Ingersoll seconded the motion, unanimously approved.

 

• Updates on Ordinance discussed for Animal Care:  TBD
• Update on Grants: TBD

 

    10.  Additional Comments: None

    11.  Adjourn: At 8:10pm, Councilmember Shields made a motion to adjourn.