Village of Forest Hills Council Meeting

Tuesday, November 04, 2025 – 7:00 pm

Forest Hills Assembly Hall, Cullowhee, NC

 

The following members of the Council were present:

Mayor Marcia Almond

Councilmember Daniel Shields

Councilmember Nilofer Couture

Councilmember Larry Ingersoll

Councilmember Robert Kehrberg

The following non-Council members were Present:

Stephanie Gibson, Clerk

Skip Almond, Resident

Jim Hartley, Planning Board member

Ron and Rochelle Mau, Residents

Wes Milner, Resident

Debbie Rowland, Resident

Sharon Stovall, Resident

Max, Intern with The Sylva Herald

 

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

  2. Announcements:

Reminder – Please silence cell phones for the meeting. 

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

4. Approval of Meeting Minutes for October 07, 2025, Regular Council Meeting: (All meeting minutes are posted on the Forest Hills website once approved.) Councilmember Shields made a motion to approve the meeting minutes for October 07, 2025. Councilmember Ingersoll seconded the motion, unanimously approved.

5. Acceptance of Financial Report & Checklist for the month of October 2025: (All financial reports are posted on the Forest Hills website once approved.) Councilmember Couture made a motion to approve the financial reports. Councilmember Kehrberg seconded the motion, unanimously approved.
6. Public Comment: None
7. Reports: 

Mayor’s Report & RPO/TAC: Marcia Almond – Mayor Almond  

The engineering report from Withers Ravenel was sent to the offices of Senators Tillis, Budd, and Corbin, as well as Representatives Edwards and Clampitt, and SWC. We have heard from Rep Clampitt, indicating he will start looking for funds.

Environmental Inc. has tested the water in Cox Creek.  Fecal studies are all within normal parameters.

SWC found grants available through Helene Recovery for $22 million to be shared with the 7 western counties.  We would partner with Haywood Waterways Assoc.  This money could also be used to repair failing septic systems.  Russ Harris will arrange a meeting with Haywood Waterways to discuss the possibilities.

The SWC Executive Committee meeting will be held tomorrow in Bryson City.

Roads:  Councilman Ingersoll said that Robby Hess asked about cleaning the drainage ditches for the Cave Springs Road HOA.  The mayor heard back from the HOA, and they will continue to have Patrick’s Lawn Care do it.

Councilmember Ingersoll requested that Robby replace the “short” mirror pole on NCC with a longer one and use different connectors or brackets, so the mirror doesn’t droop.

Jamie Ashe and partners with the Sheriff’s office have been more visible on the village roads recently.

Mark Teague will advise residents when Cave Springs and Meigs Way will be repaired, possibly this week.

The downed tree at the intersection of NCC and SCC may not be on Brown Haven’s parcel. I will follow up.

The mayor received information regarding the NC DEQ State Revolving Fund that may help the Village with replacing or installing a central sewer system.

BH Graning is still our vendor for snow removal.  Individuals can also contract with BH Graning if they would like to have their personal driveways cleaned.

Ordinance Update:  Mayor Almond has contacted NCLM’s General Counsel for advice on how to enforce our STR ordinance and apply the Amortization Rule specifically in regards to the cabins on SCC. 

Mayor Almond and I have agreed to cite the Webster “Dog Ordinance” to be put to a vote to adopt into our General Ordinances.

I received a complaint about the abandoned truck in the lower parking lot at The Sky at Cullowhee.  The manager has not been able to contact the former tenant who owned the truck.  Jamie Ashe with the Sheriff’s office has agreed to help with the removal.  He will try and get the VIN Number from this vehicle since there is no license plate to confirm the identity of the owner for the tow bill.

The new property manager for Sky at Cullowhee is Sarah Keeney. Hours are M-F, 9-5.  Her contact number is (828) 331-6239.

Village Safety: Councilmember Couture said that Officers Shuler and Ashe patrolled the Village a total of 27 hours in October. She said that there were twenty 911 calls; she noted that 4 calls were from Prospect, 4 calls were from SCC, and 10 calls were from the motel.  The calls were for domestic issues, disturbances, and serving papers.

Councilmember Couture said that there are several cars that come through the Village with no mufflers and asked if that could be addressed by the noise ordinance.  Council said that they would have to follow up and review the ordinance.

TWSA: None

Planning Board: Jim Hartley said that they had a meeting in October and decided that they would wait for updates to coordinate with Brown Haven Homes' development plans. He said that NCDOT was doing a traffic study update. 

8.    New Business:

 

Resolution Authorizing Donations to Jackson County Food Service Organizations: Councilmember Shields shared his concern that many local organizations are having difficulty having enough food to assist those in need.  He recommended that the Village assist by donating funds to one or more of the local organizations.  Council discussed the local organizations and where a donation would be most helpful.

Councilmember Kehrberg made a motion to donate a total of $1500, $750/ea., to United Christian Ministries and to The Community Table.  Councilmember Ingersoll seconded the motion, unanimously approved.

 

Website Update:  Council discussed the current Village website hosted by Catalyst and discussed looking at other options. Councilmember Shields said that Hunter Library at WCU might have ideas to enhance the website.  Consensus was to discuss it further at the next meeting.

 

Attorney Change: Mayor Almond said that she had received a few suggestions for Municipal Attorneys.  One was Ben Mount with the NCLM, the second was Allen Kilbourne, with Allen Stahl & Kilbourne in Asheville,

and Jay Coward with Coward Hicks and Siler.

Consensus was to go with Attorney Jay Coware since he is a local Attorney.  Mayor Almond will call and discuss retaining his firm and see what fees are associated and the hourly rate charged when the Village needs legal assistance.

 

Village Social: Council discussed having the Village Holiday Social.  Councilmembers decided that December 14^th would be the best date.  Mayor Almond will check and see if Catamount Jaxe is available.  The time was set from 4-7 pm.  Stephanie will send emails and postcards to residents and post them on the website.

 

9.    Unfinished Business:

 

Radar for JCSD: Stephanie will ask Marcus Abernathy will the NCLM how the Village could make a donation for a new radar and properly document the purchase for Village audit and financial purposes.  Council will discuss it at the next meeting.

 

Update on Grants: Councilmember Couture said that Patty, who previously checked grants for the Village, has retired and will check on potential grants if needed.  Mayor Almond said that the Southwestern Commission would search for grants and would not charge.

 

10. Additional Comments:

 

11. Adjournment: At 8:00 pm, Councilmember Couture made a motion to adjourn the meeting.